By no means is the issue of endless questions a matter that is entirely unique to my child. Having worked as a nanny for 10 years, I can tell you that the constant stream of "why?" is only beginning when they are toddlers/preschoolers. While the questions may over time grow to come packaged in more sophisticated wording, they will never cease to come. Thankfully, the rate tends to slow down a little as they get more independent (and find other resources for information). The trick then is to make sure their sources are good ones. -- But that is jumping way too far down the road for my preschooler for just now. At the moment, the main focus is the fact that these constant questions come whether we want them to or not. And they come from all kids, because the growing mind is curious.
The other night we had a 45 minute dinner discussion about ants. I have no idea where the topic came from. There haven't been any ant sightings in my house for a few months, so I'm not quite sure why he has them on his mind. I know that bees are always on his mind when we pass the bush that is in front of our house because there was a nest out there last summer that we couldn't get rid of. We had to tell him to stay away from it because even the exterminator that our landlords called couldn't pinpoint the exact location of the hive. Now every time we pass it (even in the winter) he asks us, "Too cold for bees?" just to double check whether or not he can walk on the sidewalk near it. But ants? No clue.
At this stage in life, a question isn't just one question. A question is really ten. Or twenty. Or the entire evening spent in conversation.
What do ants eat?
Do they eat grape juice?
My pasta?
And the sauce?
They like tomatoes?
Why do they take it back to their house?
Can't they eat it here where they get it?
Isn't it heavy?
They don't have to be strong if they eat it here. Why be strong?
Where is their house?
What is their house made of?
Can I pick it up?
Can I move it?
Do we squash them?
Can I feed them?
They have their house in our house?
Lots of little houses?
Tiny houses?
Tiny tiny houses?
Why can't we keep them in our house?
They'll eat all of my food?
I don't want my carrots today. Can I give them my carrots just today?
Can we squash their houses outside?
Can we throw them in the garbage can?
Does the garbage truck eat the ants?
Where do they go in the winter?
Do they get cold?
Can I find them?
What is really important to keep in mind is that sometimes indulging these inquiries, (maybe not for the full 45 minutes every time, but for a few questions while getting dressed or during a drive somewhere) can not only mean the world to a kid but also make a huge difference in the long term. They are learning. How do we learn in life if we don't ask questions? Often if you have a question or are curious about something, you can just look it up online quickly. Young children don't have that ability. When kids don't usually have access to a computer's search engine at their leisure until at least middle school age, where else are they going to go if not mom or dad to answer their questions?
My smart phone was one of the best things to ever happen to my own curious mind. I don't have to wait until I get home to look something up on my computer anymore. My husband just about peed his pants the other night laughing at me. We were watching a television show where one of the characters was standing in his psychologist's office in front of a book shelf full of encyclopedias, and in order to avoid answering an invasive question, he remarked that he'd always wanted an actual physical copy of one instead of just access to the information online. I looked at my husband, honestly shocked, and asked if I was the only kid who had ever asked for one for my birthday? CURIOUS MINDS! I guess I may be quite the oddity, but I bet my parents were glad they didn't have to answer nearly as many "why?" questions from their 8-year-old anymore. Some kids have more of a drive to learn than others, but all kids are curious.
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The other night we had a 45 minute dinner discussion about ants. I have no idea where the topic came from. There haven't been any ant sightings in my house for a few months, so I'm not quite sure why he has them on his mind. I know that bees are always on his mind when we pass the bush that is in front of our house because there was a nest out there last summer that we couldn't get rid of. We had to tell him to stay away from it because even the exterminator that our landlords called couldn't pinpoint the exact location of the hive. Now every time we pass it (even in the winter) he asks us, "Too cold for bees?" just to double check whether or not he can walk on the sidewalk near it. But ants? No clue.
At this stage in life, a question isn't just one question. A question is really ten. Or twenty. Or the entire evening spent in conversation.
What do ants eat?
Do they eat grape juice?
My pasta?
And the sauce?
They like tomatoes?
Why do they take it back to their house?
Can't they eat it here where they get it?
Isn't it heavy?
They don't have to be strong if they eat it here. Why be strong?
Where is their house?
What is their house made of?
Can I pick it up?
Can I move it?
Do we squash them?
Can I feed them?
They have their house in our house?
Lots of little houses?
Tiny houses?
Tiny tiny houses?
Why can't we keep them in our house?
They'll eat all of my food?
I don't want my carrots today. Can I give them my carrots just today?
Can we squash their houses outside?
Can we throw them in the garbage can?
Does the garbage truck eat the ants?
Where do they go in the winter?
Do they get cold?
Can I find them?
What is really important to keep in mind is that sometimes indulging these inquiries, (maybe not for the full 45 minutes every time, but for a few questions while getting dressed or during a drive somewhere) can not only mean the world to a kid but also make a huge difference in the long term. They are learning. How do we learn in life if we don't ask questions? Often if you have a question or are curious about something, you can just look it up online quickly. Young children don't have that ability. When kids don't usually have access to a computer's search engine at their leisure until at least middle school age, where else are they going to go if not mom or dad to answer their questions?
My smart phone was one of the best things to ever happen to my own curious mind. I don't have to wait until I get home to look something up on my computer anymore. My husband just about peed his pants the other night laughing at me. We were watching a television show where one of the characters was standing in his psychologist's office in front of a book shelf full of encyclopedias, and in order to avoid answering an invasive question, he remarked that he'd always wanted an actual physical copy of one instead of just access to the information online. I looked at my husband, honestly shocked, and asked if I was the only kid who had ever asked for one for my birthday? CURIOUS MINDS! I guess I may be quite the oddity, but I bet my parents were glad they didn't have to answer nearly as many "why?" questions from their 8-year-old anymore. Some kids have more of a drive to learn than others, but all kids are curious.
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