Humans have long had a cultural suspicion of curiosity. We warn children that ‘Curiosity killed the cat!’ We tell stories like those of Adam and Eve or Pandora’s Box, where curiosity leads to disaster. But, if there is one quality I wish every child could retain through childhood – and beyond, it is curiosity.

Curiosity is the desire to know; to tolerate uncertainty; and a drive to explore ideas rather than settle for easy answers. It is the engine that powers learning, creativity and perhaps a meaningful life.

My early memories of learning are not from classrooms but from days out to museums, galleries, nature walks and conversations around the table.   Children learn curiosity not from what they are told, but from what they see. As parents, one of the most powerful things we can do is wonder aloud with our children: “I wonder why Big Ben is called Big Ben?” And explore the answer together. Children need to be around adults who are visibly interested in the world and homes where books are read, talked about and valued

How we talk to children can also stimulate curiosity. Instead of always asking for the ‘right’ answer, we can use questions that invite thinking such as “What might happen if…?” “Can you think of any other possibilities?” These kinds of conversations teach children that learning is an exploration.

Many psychologists and educators now agree that learning is driven more by curiosity than by intelligence or motivation alone. Research consistently shows that we remember information better when we are curious about it; curiosity helps us focus and stay engaged; and curious people are better at making connections between ideas. In other words, curiosity is not a nice extra: it is central to how the brain learns.

Influential writer, David Didau, argues that knowledge fuels curiosity rather than killing it. Many people assume that as children grow older or know more, they become less curious. In fact, the opposite is true. The more we know, the more we become aware of what we don’t know and this in turn sparks deeper questions. Didau asserts, “It is impossible to think about something you don’t know. Try it.” He also describes knowledge as intellectual ‘Velcro’- new ideas stick more easily when there is something for them to attach to.

Knowledge is like a giant web in the brain, formed by networks of neurons. When a child learns more, this web of mental structures (schemas) grows richer and more connected. Curiosity then allows the brain to travel across this web, exploring new ideas, revisiting old ones, and making creative links between existing and new schemas.

There is also growing evidence that curiosity is linked to good mental health. Psychologist Todd Kashdan, in his recent book Curious?, suggests that curiosity is a powerful ally to anxiety. When children face uncertainty – for example, a new school or a social challenge – their instinct may be to avoid or negotiate their way out of it. Instead of trying to eliminate anxiety, Kashdan suggests we help children to ‘turn up’ their curiosity: by naming children’s feelings (without fixing them): “It makes sense you’re nervous, but what are you curious about here?”

Curiosity helps children tolerate not knowing, and neuroscience suggests that when we follow curiosity instead of anxiety, the brain releases dopamine, making learning feel rewarding rather than threatening.

Employers increasingly say they want employees who can question, think, and adapt, not just follow procedures. As artificial intelligence grows more powerful, I wonder if curiosity will become one of the most valuable human qualities left. As Malcolm Gladwell has said, “Curiosity is the most underrated quality in successful people.”  Ian Leslie boldly claims in the subtitle of his book Curious that “Your future depends on it.” And if we think of figures like Leonardo da Vinci, Charles Darwin, Galileo, or Steve Jobs, what united them was not just brilliance, but relentless curiosity. Education is not just about cramming knowledge into children’s heads (although that is important); it is about awakening curiosity and keeping it alive. It is about treating learning as exploration.  

As parents, we don’t need to have all the answers. we just need to show our own wonder, ask good questions, value knowledge, and show that learning is fun. Because when children remain curious, they don’t just succeed academically, they grow into creative, resilient and fulfilled adults.

Curiosity – a Checklist

Here are some habits that might help curiosity grow:

• Ask better questions, not just quick ones.
• Read widely: try books and topics you don’t normally choose.
• Find at least one subject you love and go deep.
• Be okay with not knowing – it’s where learning starts.
• Talk to people who think differently from you.
• Don’t always try to be right – try to be interested instead.