Examining Childhood Curiosity
Posted on | November 20, 2009 | 1 Comment
Mānoa Assistant Professor Brandy Frazier researched curiosity in preschool-aged children, focusing on their “how and why” questions. In the study, Frazier and co-researchers at the University of Michigan carried out two studies of 2- to 5-year-olds, focusing on their “how” and “why” questions, as well as their requests for explanatory information, and carefully examined the children’s reactions to the answers they received from adults. The paper was published in Child Development.
By looking at how the children reacted to the answers they received to their questions, the researchers found that children seem to be more satisfied when they receive an explanatory answer than when they do not. In both studies, when preschoolers got an explanation, they seemed satisfied (they agreed or asked a new follow-up question). In addition, when the children received answers that were not explanations, they seemed dissatisfied and were more likely to repeat their original question or provide an alternative explanation.
While the moderate sample size means that the study cannot yet be generalized to all children, the research clearly suggests that by age 2, children contribute actively to the process of learning about the world around them.
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November 22nd, 2009 @ 4:39 am
In Chapter 3 of my book on SIMPLE SOLUTIONS for Humanity (http://simplesolutionsbook2.com) I cover very early childhood education. To quote:
I scoured the literature, and found innumerable papers and books on the subject. Most of the treatment reflected standard nursery school practices. That is, provide an opportunity for pre-school youngsters to play and learn how to relate to people and society, allowing the parents to, frankly, work. Unfortunately, this is where the child learns to become a model citizen and loses that innate creativity. The process of teaching child to be civil can forever suppress innate creativity.
The section on this subject can be read in my daily blog of November 10 (http://planetearthandhumanity.blogspot.com/2009/11/really-early-childhood-education.html)
Have you or anyone you know conducted research into the above?
Aloha.
Patrick Takahashi
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Manoa