Development: The Importance of Encouraging Children’s Natural Tendency to Explore

Exploration is a critical component of children’s development. It is one of the ways they learn about the world and how it works. Whether they are exploring ideas, relationships or objects, they are trying out or testing their ideas. The well-known developmental psychologist, Jean Piaget, called young children “natural scientists.” We know children need safe environments in which they can experiment—where they can take risks without fear of being told, “That’s not how you’re supposed to do that.” When we support their natural tendencies to try things out, we are cheering them on to discover and tackle new challenges. By acknowledging their efforts, we help them build determination and confidence in their own abilities.

“Encouraging children to use their natural tendency to learn through play and exploration provides them with the opportunity to investigate topics that interest them in more depth which will help them develop into well-rounded, creative learners,” says Dr. Mary Zurn, vice president of education at Primrose Schools. “You are witnessing imagination in action when you observe a child spending just as much time playing with box as with the toy that came in it.”

Here are a few tips from Dr. Mary Zurn about facilitating your child’s natural tendency to explore:

Don’t dictate. Give your child the opportunity to explore a new toy before giving directions or demonstrating “how it’s supposed to be played with.” For example, if your child decides a yellow building block makes really good dinosaur food, remember there is not a right or wrong way to play and learn. Take a step back, too much structure can take away the excitement of exploration. Finding new ways to use old toys is like going somewhere you have not been before.

Create the environment. Stimulate your child’s imagination by setting the stage for independent exploration. Identify your child’s interests and then create a safe setting where your child is free to explore. For example, if your child shows a fascination in nature, visit family-friendly parks and nature centers and let your child lead the way for the day. For younger children, give them the opportunity to explore their own world. Instead of limiting them to a specific room or area of your home, allow them to explore other spaces--with close supervision, of course!

Create new stories and endings. Story telling is a wonderful way to expand children’s imaginations and is an important developmental milestone. Encourage your child to come up with a story about a pet or favorite friend. Need some help getting started? Start with a favorite book, and see if your child can imagine substituting someone he knows as the main character. Can you and your child imagine a different ending for the story? This is a great way to break down boundaries that tell us things have to be done one certain way.

Explore an idea. Exploration can come in many forms, including an idea. The next time your child has an idea or question, turn the conversation into an investigation of ideas. For example, if your child asks, “Where do lions live?”  try responding, “I’m not sure. Let’s find out.”  Whether you find a book about lions or do an online search, you are likely to find out far more than just where lions live.  Researching an area of interest is another form of exploration that shows your child one of the most important purposes of reading—to find answers to our specific questions and whole lot more.

To learn more about Primrose School of Five Forks, visit us at 3030 River Drive in Lawrenceville, or call 770.985.0028.