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Dialogue
By Kristīne Buša, educator at preschool “CreaKids”
How to Encourage Children’s Natural Curiosity: Simple Things to Implement in Preschool or at Home
To spark the curiosity, engagement, and desire to learn in preschool-aged children—as well as to help them better retain what they’ve learned—it’s important to involve them right from the planning stage of activities. Coming up with and planning activities together, creating games from simple materials, building paper houses or spaceships—all of this can be done both in preschool and at home. The key is to remember that children learn through play, movement, and hands-on activities—almost any topic can become a full-blown project that kids will joyfully dive into.
From Learning About Space to Building a Play Spaceship
When planning the monthly learning topics, I always try to involve the children. Of course, the preschool already has a base plan, but discussing the topics with the children allows us to expand on ideas and increase their motivation to participate. Once we agree that we’ll be learning about space, their attitude usually becomes more enthusiastic. It’s also important to listen to the children when thinking of specific tasks and activities. For example, when we started exploring the space theme, I noticed how interested the kids were, so I encouraged them to continue exploring. We decided together to build our own cardboard spaceship, and the parents also got involved in making it happen. Some had space books at home, others brought lights to illuminate the spaceship, and so on. From one learning theme, an entire project emerged that the children participated in with shining eyes. While building the play spaceship, they learned about space, planets, and other complex topics. And they did it together, which also helped them develop important collaboration and communication skills.
Learning Happens in Museums and on Field Trips Too
Even though it’s possible to explain the main points of any learning topic fairly quickly with images and information, it’s definitely worth investing more time and energy to nurture children’s curiosity. Encourage them to ask questions, search for answers together—not just in books but also by visiting museums and going on field trips. This helps them build other life skills at the same time. Ideally, the learning process extends beyond preschool walls, with parents getting involved too. For instance, if a child becomes interested in space, maybe it’s worth getting a relevant book or game at home, or going together to a museum or exhibit on the topic. Every child has a spark of curiosity—what matters most is that we, as adults, notice it and help it grow.
Making Learning “Tangible”
For preschoolers, it’s important that the learning process is tangible. That’s why it’s best to introduce new concepts through hands-on experiences—by playing, building, creating, etc. For example, we’ve built not only the spaceship but also a little hut out of egg cartons, or a bingo game using chestnuts. Fun, engaging projects don’t always need special resources or materials—many things can be made from simple, everyday items. In fact, these seemingly basic things often spark more interest in children than shiny, store-bought toys. For instance, our chestnut bingo game or tic-tac-toe made from stones are among the most loved activities in our group. Children choose them often, even though homemade games aren’t always as neat or polished as store-bought ones. But they are made by their own hands, and that makes them extra special and loved.
Games While Driving or Waiting in Line
When thinking about how to support children’s natural curiosity, it’s important to remember that some of the most valuable learning moments happen in everyday situations. Often, you don’t need any special materials or toys—much can be done without them. The main thing is to give the child a chance to take part, express their opinion, and feel valued. There are many small daily games you can play with children—for example, while driving or waiting in line. “I spy with my little eye,” “Think of words that start with a certain letter,” “Let’s count the red cars,” or “Guess the animal I’m thinking of”—these seemingly simple moments help build observation, thinking, communication, and even learning skills, all without textbooks. And often, these games become cherished times that children associate with positive emotions and togetherness.
An Approach That Inspires Learning and Discovery
Right now, our group at “CreaKids” is working on a new project—building a birdhouse together with the children. Again, the focus isn’t on the object itself, but on the process—working together, exploring the topic, getting involved, and doing research. When a child helps build the birdhouse, they become much more interested in going out into nature to observe what happens with it—whether any birds live there, what they look like, what they eat, and so on. Learning happens through experience, sensations, and participation.
Although this kind of approach and these activities require time and effort from both educators and parents—and sometimes a willingness to go beyond traditional boundaries—they offer the greatest reward. Children learn best when their eyes light up with excitement. And for that to happen, adults need to feel that spark too—for their work, for the children, and for their growth. That’s how true inspiration is born, leading to a meaningful, dynamic, and truly engaging learning process.