The idea that curious kids make for better learners seems obvious.<\/p>\n
But researchers have now linked a young child\u2019s level of curiosity with later academic success, according to an article in Big Think.<\/em><\/p>\n They tested more than 6,000 young kids in \u201creading and math and compared their scores to different factors such as sex, classroom behaviors, socioeconomic status and levels of curiosity at home and at school.\u201d<\/p>\n Researchers defined curiosity as \u201cthe \u2018joy of discovery\u2019 and \u2018the motivation to seek answer to what is unknown\u2019 and measured it by a survey given to parents which focused on their child\u2019s behavior.\u201d<\/p>\n The kids whose parents rated them as curious tended to have higher test scores in reading and math compared to the other factors. And the curiosity factor seemed to be more beneficial to the students who were living in poverty, compared to their wealthier peers.<\/p>\n How to encourage curiosity in your young child<\/strong><\/p>\n For parents of young kids, play is one way to encourage curiosity. Babies are born learning, so make sure you create opportunities and time to play.<\/p>\n