I have always believed that a curious child is a child that will grow, mature, and always have a future that is full of adventure and excitement. Regrettably, sometimes these children are looked upon as disruptive in a class situation. I feel just the opposite about this curious trait. These inquisitive students represent 80 percent of the class that are afraid – or insecure – about asking questions and fear that their questions will be called dumb.
I was one of those that would never talk and be in the background waiting for someone else to ask the “dumb question.” I think these curious students are the corner stone of the classroom, and their engaging personalities should be embraced.
The curious student is a thinker, not afraid to confront or question the lesson being taught. This is different from having a student that is a constant disruption. This is a sign of someone that is craving attention. In those cases the student can be talked to privately in order for the student to understand that the class is not all about them.
For the student with sincere questions, great ideas come from purity of thought, and this usually requires an individual to solve the problem in a simple, childlike manner. It involves looking at matters in the simplest of ways. As adults we tend to complicate things and to not allow for simple childlike solutions by asking ourselves the simplest questions.
Why? Where? How? When? I think it’s fascinating when a child asks those questions. It tells me that a particular child is engaged and involved in the class and wants answers. It sometimes can be disruptive in a classroom, but if handled correctly can truly be an asset, leading the class to areas that are much more dynamic. Nurturing this curiosity is part of The ARTree’s mission. We understand that a curious mind is valuable to the creative process and should be embraced.
All our projects are designed with this in mind, exploring the full creative potential of the child.
For more information, call 818-634-4180 or visit www.theartree.org!