How can teachers create space for curiosity?

Children are born curious. This is how they learn about the world around them. They keep asking questions and many "whys". As per one research, a toddler can ask 107 questions per hour!

By exploring the world around them, children learn about its wonders and secrets. By knowing more about the world, they can think more deeply and become better problem solvers.

But when children enter our education system, the number of questions they ask declines. And at some point, children give up asking questions at school altogether.

Our education system teaches children to sit still for long periods and not talk.

Even when students are asked to come up with questions, they are expected to ask particular questions. Ask the right questions and not explore other directions they are curious about.

Children that are full of questions about many things that interest them are learning not to ask these questions at school.

When curiosity is suppressed, children lose joy and interest in learning.

Curiosity is the key to learning. It's what drives us to explore, and it's how we stay engaged in the world around us.

Research today shows us that curiosity drives better learning and better academic outcomes. These researches show that the ability to stay still and focused is less important to academic achievements than being curious.

As per the researcher, Dr Prachi Shah – “Promoting curiosity is a foundation for early learning that we should be emphasising more when we look at academic achievements”.

In episode 16 of The Thinking Effect podcast, Lili-Ann and I share easy ways you can implement in your classroom today to develop your students' curiosity.

Curiosity is like a spark within your students, a little fire that drives them to learn. Tune in now to help them keep it burning.

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thethinkingeffectpodcast@gmail.com