[Learning & Growing - XVIII]
Children want to know. They want to touch, smell, taste, hear, and see the world up close. If something is movable, they want to discover what’s under it. If something is translucent, they want to see through it. If a door is closed or a latch is locked they want to open it and discover what’s behind it. And their curiosity is the engine behind their rate of learning. Children learn and intellectually grow at light speed.
Where does that curiosity go? Does it evaporate into the air of maturity? Does it disintegrate into the ground of adulthood?
Those easy targets to blame. They play a part, but not as much as our learned behaviors. Here are few:
Curiosity is flattened by precaution. Inquisitiveness and investigation keep curiosity supple and vibrant. Fear and precaution flatten the life out of curiosity.
Curiosity is crushed by shame. Nothing kills curiosity like shame. When encouragement to explore is what the curious need, shame is the proverbial anvil falling from the sky—it squashes and buries it in one collision.
Curiosity is weakened by preoccupation. Curiosity and attentiveness are twin siblings; they go everywhere together. When one slacks, the other carries more weight and vice versa. Most often, they are symbiotic and supportive of each other. Preoccupation, tears them apart through disparate priorities and distractions.
Curiosity is deadened by dismissiveness. Curiosity loves affirmation. Not gushing praise but subtle support, a smile, a nod to continue, and occasional encouragement. The antithesis of subtle affirmation is not overt criticism but dismissiveness, not as explicit but equally deadening.
