The TOP thing I would teach my child

I don’t have a child. Not of my own.

I have nieces, children of cousins and cousins of cousins and all manner of children that are part of a typical Asian family.

It may sound like I am trying to build up my credentials to talk about this subject. I am.

But then again, I am counting on the foremost credential I do have. I was once a child.

I am quite sure you were too. In fact, let me generalize and say that everyone who is now grown-up was once a child.

From experience and observation, there is ONE thing that your child needs apart from having her basic needs covered (including love and security).

One thing that your child is often born with, forgets while growing up, then needs to be taught again. To be encouraged in.

The greatest thing I would teach my child.

Playful curiosity.

Every child is curious.

He looks around. She reaches out fearlessly. He asks questions. She explores her surroundings. He tries out new uses for his toys. She role-plays.

Every day, your young child plays, absorbs and learns.

There is no pressure in her learning. No deadlines (except maybe in her parents’ minds). No external curriculum or lesson plan exists for your young child.

She is constantly playfully curious.

Aside from learning and absorbing, playful curiosity is vital because it lays the foundation for other important gifts.

Gifts that start blossoming from playful curiosity.
Gifts that you want your child to grow up with.

Here are 6 of them :-

1. Self Confidence

A child who is encouraged in her curiosity grows confident. She learns that her questions are valid. She feels acknowledged. Her voice is heard.

She feels recognised.

1. Self Expression and Communication

From playful curiosity comes questions. Your child learns to express himself. From the confidence it brings, your child is able to communicate. Not just to ask. But to share feelings and state an opinion.

To agree or disagree. To develop his own voice.

1. Creativity

As your child explores the world through playful curiosity, she develops her innate creativity. She looks for new ways to do things. She experiments and improvises.

She plays with ideas and possibilities.

She becomes a superstar innovator.

1. Building relationships (Connectivity)

Each time your child is curious, he is building his connections. To the people and things he interacts with.

He learns how things relate within themselves eg a flame is hot. Or a knife is sharp. Or water from the cold tap is COLD. Or grandpa is grumpy in the mornings.

Some of these are dangerous. Your child must be protected. With explanations and guidance, he learns the boundaries. Tempering his curiosity with caution, he learns to survive.

Your child grows.

1. Life Skills (Competence)

As your child grows, she needs to learn many life skills.

Reading, Writing, Arithmetic.

Time Management, Energy Management, Money Management.

These may seem difficult at times. Some of us may not seem naturally inclined towards certain topics.

This is when her playful curiosity will give her a head start. She would have been used to asking questions by now.

She would be used to exploring and trying out things. She would be a master experimenter.

She would want to know how things work. How to improve things. How to master something.

That way, your child will learn all the skills she needs to learn. Including humility.

Playful curiosity makes your child say “there might just be a better way”. That prevents her from being egotistical or feeling she knows it all!

1. Happiness

It is even more important that your child remains playfully curious as he grows up.

He feels disappointed. He is not always liked or understood. He fails at something he cares about. He loses friends or love.

That is when the power of his playful curiosity may save his life. In his darkest moments, it will remain in his heart.

Woven in the threads of his emotions and memories. A tiny drop of remembered fun. A tiny echo of hope in the midst of all the pain.

His playful curiosity will bring up constructive questions in his mind.

How can I get over this? What is the next step I need to take? Who can help me?

He can then act on his natural curiosity to get the help he needs. Each time he is beaten, he can get up. Dust off the pain and continue.

To figure things out. To move forward in his life.

I urge you to cherish your child’s playful curiosity. To nurture it and if need be, remind him again. Teach it if necessary.

Through your own life’s example, teach your child how playful curiosity gives rise to confidence, communication, creativity, connectivity, competence and cheer.