Last Updated on April 13, 2017 by Marie Bautista
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*Does your child ask so many questions that you are at a loss on what to answer? The following post was shared by Sandra McAubre on how to parent an inquisitive child. Original post can be found here.
A high level of
inquisitiveness is one of the more common signs that your child is gifted,
which is a blessing for most parents. Still, the never-ending flow of questions
from a curious child’s mouth can be a challenge at times. Learning how to deal
with the special needs of an inquisitive child without squelching her natural
curiosity isn’t always easy, but it is possible with a bit of dedicated
attention.
inquisitiveness is one of the more common signs that your child is gifted,
which is a blessing for most parents. Still, the never-ending flow of questions
from a curious child’s mouth can be a challenge at times. Learning how to deal
with the special needs of an inquisitive child without squelching her natural
curiosity isn’t always easy, but it is possible with a bit of dedicated
attention.
Encourage Her Natural
Curiosity
Curiosity
It can be tempting to
lay ground rules regarding how many questions your child can ask, and it’s easy
to even become so frustrated with the constant requests for information that
you shut down completely. It’s important to keep in mind that if the special
needs of your child aren’t met, she could begin to shut down altogether and
fail to realize her full potential. Nurturing the thirst for knowledge will
increase your workload as a parent, but it’s also one of the best ways to
ensure that she stays engaged and eager to learn. Rather than discouraging your
child from asking so many questions, look for ways that you can nurture her
inquisitive nature.
lay ground rules regarding how many questions your child can ask, and it’s easy
to even become so frustrated with the constant requests for information that
you shut down completely. It’s important to keep in mind that if the special
needs of your child aren’t met, she could begin to shut down altogether and
fail to realize her full potential. Nurturing the thirst for knowledge will
increase your workload as a parent, but it’s also one of the best ways to
ensure that she stays engaged and eager to learn. Rather than discouraging your
child from asking so many questions, look for ways that you can nurture her
inquisitive nature.
Talk About Privacy and
Respecting Boundaries
Respecting Boundaries
Curious kids just want
to know more about the world around them, and they’re not always burdened by
the knowledge of social mores. As a result, it’s not uncommon to find yourself
making apologies for hurtful or rude questions that your inquisitive child asks
without realizing that she’s violating the social contract. Making sure that
you take time to discuss the importance of respecting others’ right to privacy
and maintaining some boundaries can help cut down on these embarrassing
situations. Letting your child know that it’s okay to ask touchy questions when
it’s just the two of you will satisfy her urge to discover new things without
subjecting unwitting friends and loved ones to a barrage of delicate questions.
to know more about the world around them, and they’re not always burdened by
the knowledge of social mores. As a result, it’s not uncommon to find yourself
making apologies for hurtful or rude questions that your inquisitive child asks
without realizing that she’s violating the social contract. Making sure that
you take time to discuss the importance of respecting others’ right to privacy
and maintaining some boundaries can help cut down on these embarrassing
situations. Letting your child know that it’s okay to ask touchy questions when
it’s just the two of you will satisfy her urge to discover new things without
subjecting unwitting friends and loved ones to a barrage of delicate questions.
Find Toys and Games
that Fuel Her Inquisitive Nature
that Fuel Her Inquisitive Nature
The technological
advances in the toy industry aren’t restricted to shoot-’em-up video games.
There’s a wide selection of toys and games designed to foster learning and
knowledge in kids that can help encourage a habit of independent learning. When
your child is able to find some of the answers to her questions or access new
information on her own she’ll be able to take pride in her accomplishments
while you escape at least a few of her questions about the world.
advances in the toy industry aren’t restricted to shoot-’em-up video games.
There’s a wide selection of toys and games designed to foster learning and
knowledge in kids that can help encourage a habit of independent learning. When
your child is able to find some of the answers to her questions or access new
information on her own she’ll be able to take pride in her accomplishments
while you escape at least a few of her questions about the world.
Make a Habit of
Looking Up Answers Together
Looking Up Answers Together
It’s embarrassing to
admit that you don’t know the answer to a child’s question, especially if it
happens on a regular basis. Rather than becoming frustrated as a result of your
humiliation or offering an incorrect answer as a means of buying some silence,
why not make a habit of finding the answers to her questions together? You’ll
be able to make sure that the information your child finds is accurate, she’ll
begin to learn the basics of independent research and you’ll be able to learn a
few things in the process.
admit that you don’t know the answer to a child’s question, especially if it
happens on a regular basis. Rather than becoming frustrated as a result of your
humiliation or offering an incorrect answer as a means of buying some silence,
why not make a habit of finding the answers to her questions together? You’ll
be able to make sure that the information your child finds is accurate, she’ll
begin to learn the basics of independent research and you’ll be able to learn a
few things in the process.
Keep Answers
Age-Appropriate
Age-Appropriate
When a child wants to
know everything that happens around her, she’ll naturally stumble on a subject
or two that’s beyond her maturity level. Whether you’re concerned about the
ability of her young mind being able to grasp more complex concepts or you
simply want to shield her from certain realities about the world, there will be
questions that you won’t quite know how to answer. Rather than shutting your
child down with a simple “let’s talk about it later,” think about the best ways
to offer an age-appropriate answer. Remember, it’s okay to tell your child that
you need to think about the right way to answer a question. There’s no rule
stating that you have to present the unvarnished truth immediately upon being
asked a question, so take your time in formulating a response. In some cases,
your child’s quick mind and short attention span may mean that she’s forgotten
all about her question by the time you find an answer that’s suitable for her
developmental and maturity level and you won’t have to foist heavy knowledge
onto small shoulders at a moment’s notice.
know everything that happens around her, she’ll naturally stumble on a subject
or two that’s beyond her maturity level. Whether you’re concerned about the
ability of her young mind being able to grasp more complex concepts or you
simply want to shield her from certain realities about the world, there will be
questions that you won’t quite know how to answer. Rather than shutting your
child down with a simple “let’s talk about it later,” think about the best ways
to offer an age-appropriate answer. Remember, it’s okay to tell your child that
you need to think about the right way to answer a question. There’s no rule
stating that you have to present the unvarnished truth immediately upon being
asked a question, so take your time in formulating a response. In some cases,
your child’s quick mind and short attention span may mean that she’s forgotten
all about her question by the time you find an answer that’s suitable for her
developmental and maturity level and you won’t have to foist heavy knowledge
onto small shoulders at a moment’s notice.
No one knows your
child as well as you, so you may find that there are individual solutions
unique to your child that will do the trick when sticky questions are asked. In
the end, it’s important to make every effort to support her curious nature,
even when the stream of questions is beginning to wear on your nerves. Remember
that she’s still learning about everything around her and that the answers to
even simple questions aren’t always so obvious to little eyes.
child as well as you, so you may find that there are individual solutions
unique to your child that will do the trick when sticky questions are asked. In
the end, it’s important to make every effort to support her curious nature,
even when the stream of questions is beginning to wear on your nerves. Remember
that she’s still learning about everything around her and that the answers to
even simple questions aren’t always so obvious to little eyes.
I agree on all counts.. My daughter is at that point where after you finish answering a question, another question is asked. It's mostly endless. But tiring as it is, I try my best. I have to remind her about privacy though.
It's annoying! But as a mother, i tried to keep my cool most of the time, this post is very helpful and informative. Thanks for sharing
Nice article! I'm so excited to be a mom, yet scared at the same time. Katakot, lalo na pag toddler na super dami ng questions!
an inquisitive child is a smart child; parents with low tolerance see them as "makulit"…if a child inquires parents should encourage their kid to ask more
Nice! Papunta pa ako sa phase na yan. I usually see other moms dismiss their children's questions because they consider the questions nonsense and silly. Hindi ko alam kung anong effect nun sa bata, but I don't want to do that. I would want my son to feel that his questions are relevant, so I'll try to always answer them seriously. Whew!
This is very helpful. My son at his age talks a lot. He is not asking too many questions naman but he keeps on narrating and imitating everything that interests him. I love talking to him and it just amaze me how he can recall all he saw and watch. We just need to be patient and I always remind Daddy to extend his patience, hehe.