Ever wonder why your toddler asks “Why?” a million times a day? Or why can your older child spend hours dissecting how a toy works? The answer is because children are natural-born inquirers. At Sekolah Victory Plus, an IB school in Bekasi, we absolutely love nurturing this curiosity through our inquiry-based learning. But the fun doesn’t have to stop when the school bell rings.
Here’s how to embrace and encourage your child’s questions while keeping learning joyful, open-ended, and full of wonder.
Master the Art of the Follow-Up Question
When your child asks a question, don’t rush to give a quick answer. Instead, try asking questions back. This fosters their own sense of inquiry. At SVP, our teachers model this mindset all the time. Not only does it promote critical thinking and creativity, but it also helps children build confidence in their own ideas before relying on outside answers.
Provide Tools for Discovery
You don’t need a science lab to support inquiry at home, just a curious mindset and a few simple tools. Here are some ideas:
- Keep open-ended materials like building blocks, cardboard, art supplies, or nature collections easily accessible.
- Designate a notebook where your child can write down their big questions.
- Visit libraries, museums, or outdoor spaces regularly to trigger new lines of thinking.
Celebrate Questions More Than Correct Answers
Asking the right questions is just as important as finding the right answers. Instead of saying “That’s a silly question,” try “That’s an amazing thought, I’ve never considered that!” This shows your child’s curiosity is valued, even when it doesn’t lead to a perfect answer. At Sekolah Victory Plus, we foster the idea that every question is a doorway to discovery, and the same can happen in your living room.
Encouraging inquiry at home doesn’t require a degree in science or hours of planning. It simply means staying open, asking questions together, and letting your child’s curiosity lead the way.