Many parents, especially first time ones, are amazed at the curiosity that a young child displays. From a line of ants walking across the floor, to an interesting flower, absolutely everything is inspected by your curious toddler. It might be frustrating when you are in a hurry, but your child’s curiosity is one of his greatest learning tools, and it’s worth making sure he stays interested in his world.
What you need to do is learn to look at the world through your toddler’s eyes. Next time you have an errand to run, take him or her along, and pay attention to what fascinates them. Spend some time investigating with him. Even something as simple as a puddle can provide a toddler with endless amusement.
Instead of just stopping to smell the flowers with him, make up stories about them. Look inside them. Talk about the bugs that live in the roses, or see who can find the most different colours. Don’t take your toddler’s interest in everything as dawdling – it’s their way of learning about the world, and it’s endlessly fascinating.
Take your child on interesting outings, where that curiosity can really come into play. A trip to a botanical garden, museum, or even a pet shop can be an interesting outing, with endless learning experiences, and chances to create stories and fantasies.
Last, but not least, when your child asks those endless ‘why’ questions, don’t get annoyed. Make it a joint quest to find out the answer. Whatever you can do to keep your child interested in the world is worth it. That interest will help him or her later in life, whether it’s school, work or anything else.
What you need to do is learn to look at the world through your toddler’s eyes. Next time you have an errand to run, take him or her along, and pay attention to what fascinates them. Spend some time investigating with him. Even something as simple as a puddle can provide a toddler with endless amusement.
Instead of just stopping to smell the flowers with him, make up stories about them. Look inside them. Talk about the bugs that live in the roses, or see who can find the most different colours. Don’t take your toddler’s interest in everything as dawdling – it’s their way of learning about the world, and it’s endlessly fascinating.
Take your child on interesting outings, where that curiosity can really come into play. A trip to a botanical garden, museum, or even a pet shop can be an interesting outing, with endless learning experiences, and chances to create stories and fantasies.
Last, but not least, when your child asks those endless ‘why’ questions, don’t get annoyed. Make it a joint quest to find out the answer. Whatever you can do to keep your child interested in the world is worth it. That interest will help him or her later in life, whether it’s school, work or anything else.
