| The child who questions, learns far more than children | | | | practice will pop up more questions in his mind and |
| who don't. | | | | enhance his knowledge. |
| Why does an elephant walk like that? How does rain | | | | No question is wrong: Children may want to know |
| come? Why is an apple red? What is a germ? …and | | | | about things which may not be appropriate for their |
| so on. Children never get tired of asking questions but | | | | age. In such cases, don't ever scold the child. It'll affect |
| parents do often run out of patience answering them. | | | | his self esteem and make him more curious about |
| But you need to understand that these questions | | | | those things. |
| simply show the inherent curiosity of children and thus | | | | Encourage your child to ask questions: Read books to |
| play an important role in their development. | | | | your child , talk to him about the environment, show him |
| Don't snub the child when he puts a question: If you | | | | practical things so that your child develops a |
| snub or ignore the questions of your child, he'll gradually | | | | questioning mind. You may begin by yourself asking a |
| become disinterested. This would limit his growth, make | | | | few questions from him. And you'll see your child not |
| him dependent on spoon- fed knowledge and hinder | | | | only learning new things every day but also enjoy the |
| the development of an asset called 'the desire to seek | | | | process of learning. |
| knowledge.' | | | | Parenting Tip : Encourage your child to ask questions |
| Appreciate your child for asking questions: When | | | | so that he develops an inquisitive mind. |
| children ask questions, it means their mind is at work. | | | | For your parenting related queries, write to the |
| Praise your child for being inquisitive and observant. | | | | renowned parenting expert Sudha Gupta at Selected |
| Show him ways to seek answers: Guide your child | | | | questions will win 'Celebrate Childhood' by Sudha |
| how he may refer a dictionary, an encyclopedia, | | | | Gupta. |
| certain books, search on net to find answers. This | | | | |