Why Kids Ask Many Questions

               Children are natural-born scientists, questioning everything and exploring the world with their insatiable curiosity. You could even find them fire off questions faster than you can answer or even ask something that can make you question it yourself. But what does this mean for their development?

How many questions do kids ask per day?

               Research suggests young children can ask around 300-400 questions a day. A 2013 study published in the "Journal of Child Language" found that 2-year-olds ask an average of 42 new questions daily, up to 143 queries by age 4. That's a lot of "whys" and "hows"!

               Harvard child psychologist Paul Harris states that in average, children ask more or less 40,000 questions between the ages of 2 and 5. If you may ask, what is the reason for this when a child typically asks 300 to 400 questions per day? The reason may vary but one thing is that they may have felt discouraged in doing so.

               Questioning is not just a random thing kids do. It’s a fundamental part of how children grow, and their minds develop, where each question and answer is a piece of puzzle that fills up their knowledge as they explore and experience the world. As they seek answers, they build their vocabulary, develop skills such as critical thinking, and form connections between various concepts they encounter. That is why children should be encouraged to ask questions at any opportunity to grow up to be lifelong learners.

More than Just Answers

               While providing an accurate answer is important, fostering a love of questioning is even more crucial for the little ones. Here are some tips that you can do:

• Embrace the "why". Don't just shut down questions with simple answers. Encourage your child to explore more by asking follow-up questions like "What makes you think that?" or "Can you tell me more about why you're asking?"
• Turn the tables. Ask your child questions about their interests and experiences. This shows them that you value their curiosity and encourages them to think critically.
• Make it a game. Play guessing games, have "mystery object" days, or read books that encourage questioning.
• Model the behavior. Let your child see you asking questions yourself. When you don't know something, admit it and seek out the answer together.

               By nurturing their natural curiosity, we can help children become lifelong learners, equipped with the critical thinking skills they need to navigate an ever-changing world. So the next time your child bombards you with questions, remember that they're building the foundation for a bright future!