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Supporting a child’s curiosity and building their hunger for knowledge is important for raising children who view the world as a stamping ground full of opportunities. In a world that is becoming increasingly competitive and challenging, parents and educators should ensure that their children are given every advantage possible. One of the biggest assets that you can arm your child with is the knowledge and information needed to cleverly navigate the world. To do this, you must support their interests and encourage their curious minds.
Industry studies show the first eight years of a child’s life contain major mind developments which can impact the foundation they build for future learning, health and overall, success in life. Our childcare centres care for children up to 5 years old, making it a prime place for your child’s learning and curiosity to be nurtured.
How does Young Academics nurture curiosity at its childcare centres in Sydney?
At Young Academics, our team use traditional methods to encourage your child’s curious mind in the hopes that this will foster a life-long love of learning. Through play-based learning techniques as well as the inclusion of purpose-built areas, we encourage their curious minds. Here are 3 ways that our centres nurture your child’s curiosity.
- Stimulating indoor environments:
Our stimulating indoor environments contain materials and learning resources such as blocks, puzzles, science discovery and sensory space to encourage self-exploration among children.
- Outdoor resources
Our outdoor facilities include sandpits, bike tracks and water areas which prompt children to safely explore their environment.
- Holistic programs
Our learning programs are designed to accommodate different age groups as well as different levels of learning through the integration of several different activities which encourage children to learn and grow at their own pace.
4 ways you can support and nurture your curious child’s mind
- Encourage your child to converse with you
Every parent has experienced their child asking several questions. Encouraging or even initiating these questions from your child can help to develop their curious minds. Using language that prompts children to ask questions will empower their curiosity and help them to develop a love for learning, even if at that moment, you are the source of information.
When your child asks a question, try to answer as best as you can and then lead to another question. If you don’t know the answer to their question, then encourage your child to research the answer with you or explore possible solutions.
- Introduce your child to the world around them
Don’t limit your child to just their home and childcare centre. Instead, show them what the world has to offer. Take them to their local park, on walks around their neighbourhood and even to the grocery store. This will spark even more questions and conversations between you and your child and encourage them to learn about different things in the world such as nature and their community.
- Redirect, don’t discourage your child
If you find your child exploring or playing in an unsafe area, the best option is for you to redirect them to safety rather than just stopping or discouraging them from the activity. There is usually a reason why children are exploring an area. Find out what the interest is and then devise a safe way for them to explore without the risk of harm. This will not just teach children how to be curious safely, but it will also teach them that it’s okay to explore, rather than feeling like they were misbehaving.
- Allow them to be in control, sometimes
When appropriate, allow your child to lead you. Exploring the grocery store, or allowing them to lead you home after a walk in the park will give them confidence and a sense of empowerment. Children will feel respected and understood and will be more likely to indulge their curious minds.
Supporting your child’s curious mind can be done through daily activities. While it may take some time for you to get accustomed to actively encourage your child’s curiosity, it will quickly become the norm. As your child develops, you’ll notice how their love for learning grows with them and allows them to have a brighter future.
Want to join the Young Academics family? Find your nearest location here, and our friendly team will be in touch with you shortly.
