Curiosity—Innovation by Another Name?

Children are born curious—about everything!  Think about how many times toddlers are heard asking, “Why?” or show in some other way that they want to know more. When infants begin to understand the concept of grasping, they are soon pulling on grandpa’s glasses or tugging on mom’s hair. As children develop, curiosity about the world around them continues to grow.

Family Math Night

Whether a child is 10 months or 10 years old, encouraging and supporting curiosity can have an impact on learning. Parents and caregivers can encourage and support curiosity by simply allowing time for children to explore what interests them. When allowed to explore their specific interests, children are able to develop their curiosity in a way that can lend to lifelong skills. Tony Wagner, author of Creating Innovators: The Making of Young People Who Will Change the World, concludes that it is not important what serious interest a young person chooses, only that he follows something about which he is passionate and then delves deeply into that interest.

Deforming a wire

At DuPage Children's Museum, a key component of our mission is to stimulate curiosity. We do this by offering exhibits with self-directed experiences for children. Our current traveling exhibit, How People Make Things, is inspired by the factory tours seen on the popular television show Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. As Fred Rogers stated, “It’s good to be curious!”

How People Make Things visits DuPage Children's Museum through January 27, 2013.

This blog post is also published in Positively Naperville, a printed guide of community events, volunteer opportunities and local lore. The publication is distributed to 35,000 homeowners by the first of every month.