Your toddler was born a natural learner, with a natural curiosity to figure out how the world around them works.
Curiosity is the eagerness to explore and discover things in one’s world. The more curious a child is, the more they learn. You can help your toddler become a lifelong learner by nurturing their curiosity.
Below are tips for ways you can nurture your child’s curiosity.
- Talk out loud. Explain what you see and what interests you. Whether you are riding in the car, on a walk or cooking in the kitchen, talk about the things you see.
- Let your child lead. If you notice an interest, find activities that will capture their attention and imagination. If they like music, make and play instruments together and dance together.
- Answer a question with a question. When they ask a question, answer with, “Why do you think…?” Give them extra time to think about the answer and avoid answering the question for them. This challenges their thinking and invites them to be curious.
- Provide plenty of books. Books can provide an endless exposure to new and exciting things. Let your child choose their own book. If they’re interested, a book will capture their attention and you will not only help them explore their curiosity, but you will also help foster a love of reading. Play I Spy with their favorite book. “I spy a blue car. Do you?”
- Create a safe place to explore water. If experimenting with floating and sinking toys in water is the new thing, make this part of bathtub fun. Or set up a container with water in the backyard or even on the kitchen floor so they can experiment with this new fascination. Be safe with water play and never leave your child alone. Children can drown by falling headfirst into less than one inch of water.
- Provide materials to engage the imagination. Provide your child with items such as boxes, blocks, and pots and pans, so they can freely explore what these items can do. Let their curiosity lead them. Crayons, washable paints and paper can lead to works of art. Be sure to display your child’s masterpiece to show how impressed you are with their creation.
- Play simple games. Hide toys around the room and let your child explore. Play matching games by asking your child to find objects round the house that are the same. Take turns building towers with blocks and then watch their excitement as they knock the tower down. Work on simple puzzles with shapes, colors or farm animals. Name each piece when your child puts it in place.
Curiosity is very natural in 2- to 3-year-olds because much of their world is new and exciting. Encourage your child’s interests, allow for hands-on play, and be enthusiastic in answering their questions about how things work. They will love learning with you as their discovery partner.
Learn more
- Keep young children safe while playing outside
- Teach your toddler about fire safety
- Fun ways toddlers can move and learn
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Posted In Children's, Family Medicine, Parenting
