Writer and public relations specialist Jenn Wint recently wrote “curiosity isn’t ignorance, it’s a step towards understanding” and it got me thinking… When was the last time you were truly curious about something and took the steps to learn about it?
Kids are curious by nature. They have to be—it’s how we, as humans, learn. If babies weren’t curious about what would happen if they lifted their heads off the floor when you put them on their tummy, they would never learn to crawl. If toddlers weren’t curious about the noises coming out of your mouth and therefore tried their hardest to replicate them, they would never speak. If kids weren’t curious about what that other kid over there is playing with, they would never learn social skills. If young adults weren’t curious about a certain field of study or trade, they would never become professionals or experts in that area.
But once we reach that point, our natural curiosity tends to wane (or at least “life” gets in the way, and we no longer pursue it). Of course, we still learn and grow through our jobs but how often do we have our interest piqued and take steps to find out more about a topic that truly resonates with us?
Luckily, if you are a parent, there is a good chance your child has brought up an area of interest, and you have had the opportunity to dive into it with them—maybe even a bit deeper than you would have liked. Perhaps you have recently become an expert on Minecraft (I know I have thanks to my eight-year-old son) or maybe you know all there is to know about Taylor Swift (my 11-year-old daughter has made sure of that!).
This is a great reminder to not let your interests pass you by no matter how crazy life gets this holiday season and beyond. Sure, research takes time but look at your child over there building their 100th masterpiece out of the LEGO they got from Santa. They are loving every second of it and you deserve that joy too.
Let your curiosity take you on a journey where you try something new or learn a skill. Take the family skiing for the first time, start a conversation with the new person at work, make this the year you take that trip… Curiosity is not only crucial for human development and progress, it’s also fun. Isn’t it about time you see where yours can take you?
– Stacie Gaetz
