The Power of Curiosity: Helping Your Child Ask Big Questions

Curiosity is the key to a child's natural love for learning. Encourage them to ask big questions!  From "Why is the sky blue?" to "What makes people happy?"  When they ask big questions help young minds grow and flourish. Encouraging children to ask big questions isn't just about finding answers; it's about nurturing their sense of wonder, promoting deeper thinking, and teaching them to explore the mysteries of the world around them. For those of us passionate about helping kids grow into curious and thoughtful adults, finding the overlooked areas within the realm of curiosity is crucial.

Let's explore some often-overlooked aspects of nurturing curiosity in children. These insights will help parents and caregivers see just how vital curiosity is—not only for learning but for building resilience, creativity, and emotional intelligence. We’ll also discuss how the magical journey of Sprout, by Richard P. Gleason, beautifully illustrates the power of asking questions and seeking wisdom. 

We often talk about how to ask big questions starting with the most common one: "Why?" as the ultimate question of curiosity. But what about "Why not?" This question is often overlooked, yet it encourages children to challenge boundaries, think outside the box, and imagine new possibilities. Asking "Why not?" invites children to take risks in their thinking, to imagine different ways of solving problems, and to believe that change is possible.

For example, if your child is brave enough to ask big questions like, "Why can't people fly?" instead of giving a scientific answer right away, follow up with "Why not?" This will encourage them to start imagining and even inventing solutions. Sprout is a book that reflects this spirit of boundless thinking—Woodsprout isn't just asking about life, but he's also pursuing how it can be different and how he can shape it.

Children are naturally curious, but sometimes adults unintentionally suppress their curiosity by only giving definitive answers. One often overlooked way to encourage curiosity aka ask big questions is by embracing the unknown and admitting that we, too, don’t always have all the answers. This not only encourages children to think more deeply but also models an important truth: that life is full of mysteries waiting to be explored.

In Sprout, Woodsprout embarks on a journey with an empty book—a quest to ask big questions and get answers, wisdom, and the meaning of life. The beauty of this story is that it’s about the process of discovery, rather than arriving at one single truth. When children learn that not all questions have immediate answers, they begin to see learning as a lifelong adventure.  They learn to ask big questions when their answers don't immediately appear in their paths.

Try this with your child: the next time they ask big questions—like "What is love?"—respond with "That's a wonderful question. What do you think?" You could also add, "People have been wondering about that for a long time. Let's explore it together." This opens the door to deeper conversations, where you and your child can explore how to ask big questions and you can explore big ideas together.

Another overlooked area is teaching children how to ask big questions and use curiosity to understand others' feelings and experiences. When children are curious about people, they develop empathy—an essential part of emotional intelligence. Encourage your child to ask questions about the emotions of others: “Why do you think that person is sad?” or “What do you think makes someone a good friend?”

In Sprout, Woodsprout’s journey brings him face-to-face with different people, each with their own stories, challenges, and dreams. By listening to these stories, Sprout learns that everyone has something valuable to share. This lesson helps children understand that curiosity isn't just about facts—it's also about understanding others and building deeper connections.

You could encourage this type of ask big questions curiosity by reading books together that include diverse characters and experiences, asking questions like "How do you think that character felt in that moment?" or "What would you do if you were in their place?" This not only helps children understand other perspectives but also makes them kinder and more empathetic people.

While books are an incredible gateway to knowledge, adventure fuels curiosity in a very visceral way. Sometimes, an overlooked area of encouraging curiosity is getting children outside their comfort zones to experience the world firsthand. A nature walk, a visit to a museum, or even a simple scavenger hunt in your backyard can spark dozens of new questions that help children make connections between what they learn in books and what they see in real life.

Woodsprout’s journey in Sprout is all about exploration—exploring words, places, and even himself. By gifting Woodsprout an empty book, his father gave him the greatest adventure of all: the adventure of discovering and recording his own life story. Encourage your child to keep their own "Adventure Journal," just like Sprout. They can fill it with the things they discover, the things that come up when they ask big questions, and the wonders they find in everyday life.

Another powerful way to ask big questions that are often underutilized is "What if?" Asking "What if?" can help children imagine new possibilities and create something entirely original. It's a great way to encourage not only curiosity but also creativity.

For example, if your child is curious about space, try to ask big questions like "What if you could design a new type of spaceship? What would it look like?" This takes a question about facts and turns it into a playground for their imagination. The magic of Sprout lies in these sorts of questions—Sprout wonders, imagines, and dreams, which leads to unexpected adventures.

Try this activity: Create a "What If?" jar filled with imaginative questions like, "What if animals could talk?" or "What if we lived underwater?" This activity can make your child feel more confident in exploring unusual and creative ideas.

Many parents don't realize how valuable curiosity and the ability to ask big questions can be in teaching resilience. Sometimes, the fear of making mistakes prevents children from asking big questions or trying new things. Instead of avoiding these uncomfortable moments, help your child view mistakes as an opportunity to be curious.

When Sprout faces challenges or gets things wrong in his journey, he learns to ask big questions—to figure out how to move forward or understand what went wrong. You can use mistakes as an opportunity to ask your child questions like, "What could we try differently next time?" or "What did we learn from this?" This approach transforms setbacks into valuable learning experiences and shows children that curiosity is their ally, even in failure.

Encouraging curiosity is about more than finding answers—it's about sparking a lifelong love of learning, understanding others, and discovering who we are. By nurturing your child's sense of wonder, you're not only giving them knowledge but also the courage to explore life's many adventures.

If you’re ready to dive into the magical world of curiosity and self-discovery with your child, check out *Sprout* by Richard P. Gleason. Woodsprout's journey is the perfect story to inspire children to ask big questions, seek wisdom, and find the magic within themselves. It's a book for all ages that reminds us that life itself is an adventure worth exploring.

Ready to grow your child's sense of wonder?  Discover Sprout, a magical children's book that inspires curiosity and the joy of asking big questions. Shop now and begin the adventure today!