Being curious is a driving force in our human nature. It's the strong desire to know or learn something that brought us into our very being. It is the child-like act of asking questions with eyes wide open to what the possibilities may be. As children we found joy and wonder in everything around us. Often as we age we forget how to be passionately curious and we must make a conscious effort to return to a child-like way of observing this beautiful world.
The best teachers I have ever observed know how to make inquiry an on-going and passionate quest. Their students are invited to learn right along with them. They teach what they know and continue to learn themselves expanding their curiosity. If they don't know the answer when asked they say, "I don't know, let's learn together."
As a parent you can revive your ability to be curious by thinking of something you would love to learn about and making it a priority to begin the process. Often as busy parents of spirited boys we easily put our own curious desires on the back burner and legitimately can think of a hundred reasons why we shouldn't indulge ourselves. It may feel awkward or even selfish at first but make a little time for your own curious pursuits. When your children see you set the example for inquiry they are more likely to maintain their own insatiably curious natures. When they witness your passion for inquiry and see you light up with something you're interested in they will osmotic-ally learn to nourish their own child-like zest for learning. They will always remember the family quest for learning as an enjoyable part of life.
To this day my oldest sons can still remember falling asleep to my level one piano practice. My "curious life" most often began at their bedtime. Although a bit of a trick sometimes to weave it in, I've always felt energized and renewed after creating a space for my own curious pursuits. I do know I was better equipped the following day to nurture theirs.
MH
The best teachers I have ever observed know how to make inquiry an on-going and passionate quest. Their students are invited to learn right along with them. They teach what they know and continue to learn themselves expanding their curiosity. If they don't know the answer when asked they say, "I don't know, let's learn together."
As a parent you can revive your ability to be curious by thinking of something you would love to learn about and making it a priority to begin the process. Often as busy parents of spirited boys we easily put our own curious desires on the back burner and legitimately can think of a hundred reasons why we shouldn't indulge ourselves. It may feel awkward or even selfish at first but make a little time for your own curious pursuits. When your children see you set the example for inquiry they are more likely to maintain their own insatiably curious natures. When they witness your passion for inquiry and see you light up with something you're interested in they will osmotic-ally learn to nourish their own child-like zest for learning. They will always remember the family quest for learning as an enjoyable part of life.
To this day my oldest sons can still remember falling asleep to my level one piano practice. My "curious life" most often began at their bedtime. Although a bit of a trick sometimes to weave it in, I've always felt energized and renewed after creating a space for my own curious pursuits. I do know I was better equipped the following day to nurture theirs.
MH
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