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Approaches to Learning
Promoting Curiosity
WiseTip: AL-CUR-M0818-E01A

Create interesting and safe places for your baby to explore and experience new activities.

8-18 months
Environment
WHY IT MATTERS

Babies and toddlers are naturally curious. Researchers have found that children may have temperamental differences and different styles of expressing their curiosity. Some may want to explore with only their minds, while others may do so in more physical ways by moving, touching, smelling, tasting, and climbing.

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  1. Perry, B. D. (2001). Curiosity: The fuel of development. Scholastic Early Childhood Today, 15(6), 22-23.

Creating a safe environment for children to explore freely will build their curiosity and exploratory abilities.

Ensuring children’s safety while exploring is paramount. Removing obstacles that can cause young children to stumble and fall. Mouthing is an important developmental and learning milestone for babies, so paying attention to the baby's health and safety risk is critical. For younger infants whose primary mode of material exploration is through

mouthing

Mouthing - Mouthing is an important developmental milestone for children. Mouthing behavior develops into an exploratory behavior in which objects are placed into the mouth for a few seconds for purposes of discovery. During this stage of development, children will put their hands and any object that they come in contact with into their mouths.

, adults need to observe children closely to reduce the risk of choking.
2, 3

  1. Honig, A.S., Miller, S.A., & Church, E.B. (2006) How curiosity leads to learning. Early Childhood Today, 21 2), 19–23.

  2. Shabazian, A. N., & Li Soga, C. (2014). Making the right choice simple: Selecting materials for infants and toddlers. YC Young Children, 69(3), 60-65.

Read more at AL-CUR-C02 and AL-CUR-C03.