Show C Childrens Children's ildren's I l j questions I Young children often irritate or anger their parents by asking endless ques ques- questions Some of their questions seem to be pointless Daddy where does the light go when it goes out Some childrens children's Questions are maddeningly mad mad- repetitive Mom how much longer till we get to Grandmas Grandma's house Some young people ask sk questions that parents cant can't readily answer and dont don't have the time to look up a reply I the capital of Switzerland YOI You may not realize It parent but every question your child asks Is pro pro- probably bably perhaps important not taut tant to you but certainly It Is to the child Curiosity is the mother of learning and questions are the tools of curiosity Sadly a childs child's curiosity may be still still- stilled ed at an early age by unwitting reactions reactions by parents Sometimes it happens when a father writing checks to pay the months month's bills is Interrupted by a son In the third grade who wants to know when the winter officially starts a dumb question roars the father Cant you see how busy I am Go watch TV or something message The third grader got this message Dad doesn't want me to ask him any an questions It upsets Dad If I ask him any more questions were we're going to have a hassle I wont won't run the risk of bugging him any more When that happens Its It's a a genuine tragedy Instead parents may develop a live live- lively ly Iy healthy curiosity in their children by encouraging questions That means praising the kids for ask ask- asking Ing good questions taking laking those ques- ques questions questions seriously attempting to answer them clearly and fully and entering in- in into in to a sim abc about t the It also means suggesting ways children may learn by getting their own answers from encyclopedias ex who may live in the neighborhood or doing some research at the library |