Let the Children Explore — A Parenting Guide

Children want to experiment with everything new. Let any normal activity that is not harmful to the child, so that his curiosity is over and s/he can move on to the next step.

A famous teacher, I heard at TEDx said, that once he was teaching robotics to third graders when a girl came to him with a problem. There was a conversation between this teacher and the girl, which is a model for parents and teachers.

Girl: Sir my robot is not working.
Teacher: Son, what could be the problem with it?
Girl: I think its cells are weak and I should replace them.
Teacher: Yes, son, go and change it and then tell me.

The girl changes the cells of the robot and after a while comes back to the teacher.

Girl: Sir, I have changed its cells but still the robot is not working.
Teacher: Son! What else could be the problem?
Girl: Sir I think its connection wires must have moved. I would like to see its wires once.
Teacher: Yes son. go and check the wires.

The girl leaves and comes after changing the wires.

Girl: Sir I have also changed its wires but still it is not working.
Teacher: Son! Other than that, what could be the problem?
Girl: I think this chip (programming card) must be damaged.
Teacher: Yes son! This is also possible. You can change its card and see.

After a while, the girl came running and started running happily. She thanks him.

The teacher says if you see, I have not done anything in this whole process. I just guided the girl to the solution. If he would a normal teacher, he would have repaired the robot and handed it over to the girl, but the girl was not supposed to learn anything from it.

Children want to experiment with everything new. Today you will stop them but tomorrow they will surely experiment with that thing. They go in the mud, get muddy and ruin their clothes or play with water. They will not stop. They will stop when they have fully explored these things. After that, even if you forbid them, it will have an effect on them. So let any normal activity that is not harmful to the child, so that his curiosity is over and he can move on to the next step. Children who feel good about themselves have the confidence to try new things.

Do your children ask about their surroundings? What is your response?

_________________________________________________________________

Do you try to take advantage of these questions to convey new information and strengthen your relationship? How?

_________________________________________________________________

You may notice that children aged two to three years old will pick up a new habit and explore it completely for a few days. If the habit is bad, the parents are furious. After thoroughly exploring, the child moves on to another habit and begins exploring it in the same manner.