“Curiouser and Curiouser” cried Alice after she ate the cake, and then suddenly shot up in height “like the largest telescope, ever! Good-bye feet” she exclaimed!
For some children, that iconic scene, shortly after Alice lands in Wonderland, is their introduction to the term “curiosity.” But for us — well, take a moment and see what comes to mind when you consider curiosity...
I recently did a random “man on the street” survey, asking for single-word responses, and found that people associate curiosity with many things. I heard the words necessary, intelligent, spark, engaged, open-minded, open-ended, creative detective, and seeker.
Personally, I’ve been consumed with curiosity for decades, believing that it is the secret sauce to learning and to a fulfilling life. So what is curiosity?
Einstein’s comment, “I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious,” provokes even more questions: Is curiosity a skill or a talent? Is it innate or learned? Can it be taught or cultivated? How does it shape how we learn, especially early learners? What is the primary role of curiosity?
Regardless of how curious we are about curiosity, it is difficult to study. However, contemporary neuroscience has revealed some insights. In a study published in the October issue of the journal Neuron, psychologist and researcher Charan Ranganath at the University of California, Davis explains that the dopamine circuit in the hippocampus registers curiosity.
“There’s this basic circuit in the brain that energizes people to go out and get things that are intrinsically rewarding,” Ranganath explains. “This circuit lights up when we get money, or candy. It also lights up when we’re curious.” When the circuit is activated, our brains release dopamine, which gives us a high. “The dopamine also seems to play a role in enhancing the connections between the cells that are involved in learning.”
Ranganath’s research, covered in this fascinating piece in Mindshift last week, gives us a working definition of curiosity, as an intrinsic motivation to learn. It also presents us with an exciting challenge – how can we create learning environments and experiences that will engage young children and ignite their innate curiosity?
The early years are a window of opportunity for parents, caregivers and communities to encourage curiosity. And it really matters. Curiosity increases knowledge and knowledge makes learning easier.
Nurturing curiosity in ourselves and in young children is easy to do. Here are my top ten ideas for the home and the classroom:
- Slow down: In an age of immediacy, slow things down and encourage discovery. “I am curious about,” or “just out of curiosity” are great conversation starters.
- Don’t have all the answers: Declaring you don’t know something, but that you want to find out together is an invitation for curiosity.
- Put kids in the driver’s seat: In classroom activities or at home, let kids make decisions – this leads to uncertainty quickly and will encourage exploration.
- Get real: Curiosity can’t be nurtured in the abstract – it’s messy. Get kids investigating a topic or solving a mystery.
- Delve deep: Hold your own Boring Conference in class – it’s a fantastic one-day celebration of the obvious and the overlooked, subjects that become absolutely fascinating when examined more closely.
- Encouragement matters: Acknowledge a question by saying “That is a wonderful or interesting question.”
- Talk shop: What, why, how? Let kids explore how things are made. How Things Work is a great example.
- Identify role models: Curiosity is also highly contagious. If you set the example for being curious you will be amazed at how the world changes. Also, seek out others doing interesting things. Chances are they are using their curious natures to guide them.
- Practice: Make a list of things you want to know more about and carve out a little time to explore.
As for curiosity being the secret for lifelong learning in the 21st century, the New York Times magazine recently profiled productive people from various fields, including politics, art and science, who were 80+ years old. When asked by the New York Times what kept him intuitive, architect Frank Gehry, still going strong at 85, said “…. stay curious about everything.”
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Susan Magsamen is the Senior Vice President of Early Learning at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, a member of the Educational Advisory Board for the Goddard School, senior advisor to The Science of Learning Institute and Brain Science Institute at Johns Hopkins University.
Susan will discuss the key role that curiosity plays in early learning with a presentation at the National Association for the Education of Young Children annual conference starting today in Dallas. HMH’s conference booth will showcase its collection of early learning offerings designed to engage young children and spark curiosity.
To learn more about Curious World, the latest addition to HMH’s dedicated suite of programs for early learners, teachers and families, visit curiousworld.com. To learn more about Curiosityville, and its new Educator Toolbox to support classroom learning, visit curiosityville.com.
