Curiosity

One of the things I love about working with children is their curiosity. The questions they ask keep us on our toes! Nothing is off the table. They see the world through fresh eyes and are filled with wonder. Of course the barrage of questions from young children can be tedious and I have (like many parents) looked for ways to cut the questions short and change the subject. I sometimes wonder if we unintentionally discourage curious, creative minds as children grow up and I ponder how we can keep curiosity alive.

Our students are living in a rapidly changing world, full of challenges and problems to be solved. We want our kids to remain curious, because curiosity underpins innovation. The desire and capacity to view things from a different perspective and the willingness to step out of a comfort zone are valuable qualities. We want our students to be life-long learners who ponder, think, wrestle with ideas and have a desire to create and iterate.

Curiosity plays an important role in social contexts also. When we take things at face value, we jump to conclusions. We make assumptions about the intentions and motives of others, and this can cause conflict. When someone seems upset or angry, rather than being defensive, we can choose to get curious. What is going on for this person? What might be happening in their lives? Curiosity in this context leads to an opportunity to connect, understand and respond more supportively. It turns the focus from ourselves to others. 

Curiosity can also be valuable when you listen to your child’s stories about their day at school. It’s easy to hear their recounts of classroom or playground events and accept them as the whole truth rather than their truth. Curiosity might cause you to think, ‘What does this story tell me about my child?’ ‘What might be other perspectives of this event?’ This is a time to ask a few more questions as you seek to understand. By choosing a curious approach, you model empathy and understanding to your child, setting them up for a happier life.

Curiosity is the act of vulnerability and courage. We need to be brave enough to want to know more. - Brune Brown 

Mrs Debra Cooper

Principal