283: Why We Should Cultivate Curiosity in Our Youth
“If you don't know what your students are thinking – what they’re curious about – how can you tap into what they want to work on? And how can you help them think in an ever more sophisticated way?” — Susan Engel
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My Guest
Susan Engel is a professor at Williams College, where she teaches courses on developmental psychology and education. Her research interests include children’s curiosity, invention, and ideas. She is currently working on a book about Kindergarten in America.
Summary / Key Topics
Lifelong learning and curiosity are essential for a thriving society. They allow us to adapt to change, solve problems, and create new opportunities. Yet, curiosity is often overlooked in education, leading to a decline in curiosity among children.
There are many ways to foster curiosity in children. One is to create a learning environment that is safe and supportive, where children feel comfortable asking questions and making mistakes. Another is to provide children with opportunities to explore their interests and learn at their own pace. Finally, it is important to model curiosity by showing children we are always learning and growing.
Curiosity is valuable in education because it motivates students to learn and helps them to develop critical thinking skills. Curious students are more likely to ask questions, investigate problems, and develop creative solutions. They are also more likely to be engaged in learning and retain information.
Education should nurture students' curiosity, helping them to become lifelong learners. This can be done by providing students with opportunities to learn about the world around them, develop their problem-solving skills, and connect with their own interests.
Resources / Social Media
The Hungry Mind: The Origins of Curiosity
The Hungry Mind: Psychologist Susan Engel's Call To Arms | WBUR News /
The Intellectual Lives of Children
Why Should This Be So? with Susan Engel - CHOOSE TO BE CURIOUS
https://www.theguardian.com/education/2020/jan/28/schools-killing-curiosity-learn
https://elimindset.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/engel2011.pdf
About Jeff
Jeff Ikler is the Director of Quetico Leadership and Career Coaching. “Quetico” (KWEH-teh-co). He works with leaders in all aspects of life to identify and overcome obstacles in their desired future. He came to the field of coaching after a 35-year career in educational publishing. Prior to his career in educational publishing, Jeff taught high school U.S. history and government.
Jeff has hosted the “Getting Unstuck—Cultivating Curiosity” podcast for 5 years. The guests and topics he explores are designed to help listeners think differently about the familiar and welcome the new as something to consider. He is also the co-host of the Cultivating Resilience – A Whole Community Approach to Alleviating Trauma in Schools, which promotes mental health and overall wellness.
Jeff co-authored Shifting: How School Leaders Can Create a Culture of Change. Shifting integrates leadership development and change mechanics in a three-part change framework to help guide school leaders and their teams toward productive change.
Show Credits
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