From infancy, children first learn by watching. A child who learns by watching wants to try what he observes, regardless of his physical fitness. At this point, home accidents may occur with the developing sense of curiosity. How can you control your child's curiosity without hindering learning and protect your child from accidents at home?
The first step to learning; CURIOSITY!
“A sense of curiosity is an indicator of healthy development.”
The sense of curiosity is at an important point in child development. Curiosity is the basis of learning by discovery. The sense of curiosity, which is a part of healthy development, begins to manifest itself from infancy. In the first years of life, babies put every object they find into their mouth, and parents may often think that the baby is hungry or is not full even though it is fed.
However, babies also put objects in their mouths due to their sense of curiosity, which stems from their desire to explore the environment and their desire to explore. Because during this period, the mouth is a very important organ for babies and they try to explore the outside world through these organs.
The preschool period is a period when the sense of curiosity makes itself felt the most. It covers the age limit of 3-6. In this period, when the child can use and control his hands, arms and legs in a balanced way, the first exploration children make is to reach out to places where they are tall. While previously there was a possibility that he might not be able to get an object he wanted by pointing with his hand, the sense of curiosity supported by the gross motor and fine motor muscles developed during this period can now satisfy his curiosity by reaching with his own means instead of pointing with his hand.
There are so many things waiting to be discovered inside the house; The child is constantly running from place to place in the house; Along with his speaking skills, he reaches the highest point in the discovery process by asking questions to his parents.
Before labeling how naughty and active a child is, it is necessary to be aware that this situation is perhaps a quenching of the sense of curiosity and discovery.
For example, a child removes the wheel of his car to damage his toy car. not as if; He may have destroyed his toy because he wanted to see what happened when he took off the wheels. Or sometimes parents' complaints about their children asking too many questions may be a method of curiosity and discovery. The way children show their curiosity is special and different, just like every child.
The feeling of curiosity exists in every period of life. This is one of the reasons why the child is more successful in the course he is interested in during the school period; He is eager to learn because he is curious. It enables the child to achieve more successful results at points where he/she is curious about his interests and abilities and eager to explore.
How does the sense of curiosity develop in children?
“It should be ensured that the sense of curiosity is moderate and controlled.”
Whether parents support or inhibit children's sense of curiosity is a very effective determinant of whether the child's sense of curiosity increases or decreases. Parents should not extinguish or underestimate the child's curiosity. However, they should also maintain a balance of curiosity as well as support.
Curiosity should not be extinguished, nor should it be overdone. It should be ensured that the child's curiosity is moderate and controlled. Adjusting the interior of the home accordingly against possible accidents that may occur during the child's exploration period can be suggested as a solution to controlling the child's sense of curiosity. Keeping the sense of curiosity in moderation and control does not mean constantly warning people not to touch or do anything.
How should curiosity be controlled at home?
First of all, objects/items that may cause danger and harm should be eliminated in the home environment during the child's exploration period. The home environment should be made safer considering the child's developmental period. The child should not be allowed to take the knife just because he is curious or to play with the socket just because he is curious about it. It is especially beneficial for toddlers to keep dangerous items out of reach.
As an alternative to increasing the child's curiosity and avoiding constant dangers, for example, you can place child-friendly items in places that the child can reach. Discovery that will not harm the child Arranging the home environment in a way that supports the feeling of discovery is an important issue in controlled exploration.
But what should be done in cases where it is not possible to eliminate or relocate?
In cases where it is not possible to remove or relocate, expressions that can help the child understand that it is dangerous should be used. Parents usually try to explain the dangers to the child by saying 'norrrr'. However, hearing the word 'no' causes the child to pause for a moment; Hearing it constantly may cause the word "no" to lose its effectiveness and cause a person to develop a reaction to this word. Too many no's reveal problems in the parent-child relationship.
Instead of using the word 'no' for dangerous and harmful situations, the child should be explained with words that he can understand and the child's attention should be directed in a different direction. It is easier to divert the attention of young children, especially. When the child is directed towards a dangerous object, the parent can distract his attention by directing him to a different behavior or object.
You can explain the dangers to your child. Explaining to your child why you do not allow it in words and expressions that your child can understand will, over time, make the child more careful about dangers. However, the child who is constantly prevented by being told "don't do/no/stop" will suppress his/her sense of curiosity and the prohibitions will become more attractive.
The possibility of doing it by looking into the parent's eyes or secretly will increase. Because the child has not received the answer to the question of why it is dangerous and the only way to find out is to try.
How does the sense of curiosity develop in children?
How can we develop the child's sense of curiosity?
A sense of curiosity is very important at every age. Curiosity enables children to learn faster, be solution-oriented, develop their empathy skills and become more conscious individuals towards their environment. Asking questions is a tool for curiosity. The first step is to be patient in the face of questions and when you feel like you don't know, ask your child to investigate together rather than ignoring them. You should support the sense of curiosity by offering to.
Don't think that curiosity will be cured after starting school. Do not postpone your child's learning and discovery and do not put him in a mold. Support exploring the sense of curiosity together at a young age. For example, explore your child's questions about nature with alternatives through a nature trip, aquarium trip, zoo trip.
“Keeping the house clean while raising children is like cleaning in front of the door while the snow is still falling. Phyllis Diller”
Do not constantly hinder your child because the house will get messy and dirty. Only allow your child to do things within their limits. Do not react to your child's clumsiness in a way that will belittle him or damage his self-confidence due to his fine motor or gross motor skills not being fully developed.
Children are the mirror of their parents. Being curious and doing research to satisfy your curiosity is an important detail for your child's development.
Healthy communication is very important at every stage of your child's development. Communication that begins in the womb should continue throughout your child's life; This will make your child feel safer.
Do not delay your child; Speak to your child with words that he/she can understand, do not ignore your child and do not use expressions that will make him/her feel bad, such as "What are these ridiculous questions, how curious are you?" A healthy communication is the basis of a healthy parental relationship.
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