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All about ... Curiosity
A short extract from an eight page feature which appeared in the Nursery World magazine, 2004
Curiosity, or an eager desire to know, is the key to the joy of learning. Curious children want to investigate and to explore attitudes that bring benefits to children's learning across the Foundation Stage curriculum. Children's curiosity about the world around them is evident from the day they are born. Babies quickly use all their senses to explore themselves and their surroundings in their efforts to make sense of the world. Long before they can talk they are clearly investigating, asking questions, problem solving and making choices as they play, eat, and interact with others around them.
Early years practitioners, have a responsibility to support and reinforce this innate curiosity to give children the confidence to develop their own theories about the world and how it works.
Children need opportunities to find out about themselves, significant people in their lives, their immediate environment and the natural and man-made world.
As children grow they are constantly adding to their store of knowledge about the world. Every new experience, wherever it takes place - indoors, outdoors, in the home or in the early years setting - presents a new learning opportunity.
In very young children curiosity is largely impulsive, as they are attracted to new and interesting things. They express their curiosity through all their senses by asking 'What does it look like?', 'What does it feel like?' 'What does it sound, taste or smell like?'. As their curiosity develops they will demonstrate closer attention to detail and their questions will focus on seeking explanations.
By the time they reach the Foundation Stage, children's interest in the world around them and their desire to investigate will vary. Some will be naturally curious and may have been encouraged to be so from a very early age. Others may need more support and encouragement and permission to take risks and try things out in a secure, supportive environment.
We would be making a mistake if we only judge a child's level of curiosity by the questions they ask. Curiosity can be expressed by facial expression and stance, listening and watching intently, touching, smelling and tasting, looking at pictures and photographs and using books.
Curiosity can be fostered through everyday activities, play and involvement in all six areas of learning. Successfully encouraging children to be curious and explore the world around them is dependent on the ethos, organisation and relationships within a setting.
Children should feel respected for the knowledge and understanding that they have about the world and must be free from the threat of being ignored or ridiculed.
To develop as self-confident learners children need to feel secure in their approach to new experiences. They need to know that it is all right to ask questions, that their questions are important and that adults will take them seriously.
