Why Teachers Must Nurture Curiosity

As educators, teachers play an integral role in society. It is important to know that each student has their own specific skills and strengths but all students have a few things in common. One common ground which exists between all students is their innate sense of curiosity and wonder. I hate to say this but as they go through life, many things can happen which can stifle that integral sense, and as a result, wreak havoc on their confidence.

Observe that teachers can play a vital role in helping students tap into and trust that inner sense of curiosity.You will notice that if fostered, not only will students gain a greater degree of confidence in themselves and their abilities, they’ll also hold on to that sense of wonder that they initially possessed.

Here’s why it’s so important for teachers to nurture curiosity and confidence in order to inspire students.

Fostering Curiosity

It is tempting to say that many people have pondered over what the correct formula is to unlocking hidden potential in individuals. There is strong support for the case that it is in fact fostering curiosity and thereby building upon confidences which are necessary ingredients required to achieve this aim.

What’s the connection between curiosity, confidence, and potential, you ask? Each of these three qualities is intricately related.Before I discuss a healthy sense of curiosity is absolutely essential in order to push boundaries. By nature curious individuals are confident in their abilities to constantly push barriers in pursuit of greater understanding. Through this process, an individual comes to realize what they’re capable of, and how much more they can challenge themselves.

There is absolutely no doubt that you can only realize your potential if you push your boundaries. It has been discovered that for students, curiosity is the muscle power needed to do all that heavy pushing. And confidence that builds each time you exercise those muscles.

Explore Student’s Intellectual Level

No matter how as a teacher, encouraging your students to retain their sense of curiosity and wonder has so many benefits. I would like to say that a curious student is one who isn’t afraid to explore unchartered intellectual vistas. Don’t worry these individuals are less likely to be deterred by new concepts and unfamiliar things. It is tempting to say that in order for a student to intellectually stretch their wings, they must not be afraid to take flight.

The reality is that one of the most empowering things a teacher can do for a student is encourage their curiosity and increase their confidence. This very literally gives them the wings they need to soar.

Growth and Innovation

Another one of the long term benefits of encouraging curiosity and confidence in students is what these traits will enable them to accomplish once they enter the real world. I should mention here that curiosity and confidence are vital when it comes to challenging yourself, or when tackling challenges. When armed with a sense of curiosity, problems become exciting to solve; students have a vested interest in getting to the bottom of the ‘mystery’ that has presented itself.

Students having confidence in their abilities will ensure that they stick to what they’re doing until they’ve found a solution. It breeds a sense of perseverance which all but guarantees that no challenge is big enough to daunt them into a sense of cowardice of complacency. Their confidence in their ability to test each piece of the puzzle until they find the perfect fit will ensure that they see tasks through to completion, and come to effectual solutions.

Well these challenges are typically the impetus to growth and innovation, two things which are vital in almost every facet of life.

Building Confidence in face of obstacles

Curiosity and confidence are two traits which go hand in hand; where there’s one, the other must naturally follow. I find for teachers, encouraging curiosity is the first step in building students’ confidence. Each time students find themselves facing a challenge of any sort they let their curiosity help them in order to find a solution.

Well the first couple of times this is done, the process may feel alien and daunting. They may be riddled with a torrent of doubts: ‘Can I actually do this?’, ‘What if I fail?’, ‘What if I’m going in circles?’ etc. It is important to know that at this point, teachers can play a pivotal role in helping students to drown out that internal self-sabotaging rhetoric and press on in search of solutions. It is bound to happen that the simple act of encouragement can do wonders for a student who is learning to actively use their curiosity to their benefit.

Each time a student is bucked up to let their curiosity guide them, their confidence in their own abilities will increase. That internal chorus of doubt will get fainter and fainter, and these persons will find themselves undaunted in the face of obstacles.

Effective Thinking

You may find that effective thinking may be defined differently by people but essentially, it entails using your powers of reason to work through a problem or a challenge. Well as a teacher, you’re probably familiar with numerous different students with different personalities, strengths, and weaknesses. It happens that you may have noticed that those students who are timid in their use of curiosity are less accustomed to thinking effectively and critically.

A funny thing on the other hand, those students who have been encouraged to use their curiosity will find their minds getting into gear anytime they are required to solve a problem or challenge. No matter how their brain begins asking a slew of questions which may help them find the answers they’re looking for.

Too often curiosity and confidence also enable students to have the courage to think outside the box. These are all essential tools when it comes to effective, critical thinking.

Value the reward

Often, the temptation is to reward pupils when their curiosity leads to a desired outcome or good grade. But it's more essential to notice and reinforce curiosity when you see it in action. It is often seen that when you praise students by describing how their questions, explorations, and investigations are contributing to their own or classroom learning, you let them know that they are valued for their motivation, regardless of the grade they achieve.

Teach students how to ask relevant questions

Make sure that quality questions are a vital medium for curiosity. Google is great at finding answers but doesn't touch the formation of questions. Good questions contain "why," "what if," and "how." A great book for understanding the art of questioning is A More Beautiful Question by Warren Berger.

Notice student’s confused situation

Is there a "teachable moment" that will spark a desire to search for answers? How can you invite students to see problems as mysteries waiting to be solved?

Initiative Thinking

While we are talking tinkering might be constructive play with feelings, concepts, ideas, and materials. How can students create a new widget, essay, blog article, poem, science experiment, service, or product from their explorations? Remember tinkering with materials, thoughts, and emotions stimulates curiosity and leads to innovative outcomes.

Modelling curiosity.

I want to stress here that you can do this in your respectful relationships with students by exploring their interests, expanding upon their ideas, and engaging them in meaningful dialogue about what matters most.

Helping parents to understand curiosity in child.

You may help parents understand the importance of curiosity in their child's development and suggest ways that they can foster it at home. As educators we know that supportive caregivers can have a tremendous impact on developing curiosity and other essential abilities.

The end result: resilience

I can’t believe I am saying this but there is no end to the benefits a student can reap from a healthy sense of curiosity and confidence in their abilities. I know that as a teacher, nurturing these skills in a student is the key to helping them develop resilience in the face of challenges. Very often these are students who are more likely to succeed when they leave school and enter the real world.

Students look up to their teachers.Needless to say these young, impressionable minds enter classrooms and are deeply influenced by their teachers. Okay so if you stifle their natural curiosity, their confidence will suffer, and they will be less likely to be as resilient in the face of challenges. If on the other hand you inspire students to trust their natural instincts, you’ll help a number of students to know their potential.

I never hesitate to say that curiosity and the confidence it fosters are powerful tools for any individual to have. Teachers are in the perfect position to act as the whetstone on which students can sharpen their natural tools.