Children, by nature, are curious beings! However, nerves, anxiety or a jam-packed schedule can hold kids back from feeling confident, excited and free to explore new things. It can be easy to get swept up in the busyness of life and miss out on that unscheduled time.
Let Loose
It’s even easier to forget how fun and simple it can be to explore. We don’t need to go far or spend hours in the wilderness to foster a spirit of exploration in our children. We are all explorers; we just need to carve out a little bit of time to get into the spirit of open-mindedness.
Take time to do nothing. Although nothing sounds like…. Well, nothing—it doesn’t need to be! Giving children parametres to safely explore their surroundings without any set schedule, just allowing time to wander around together or independently nearby, can help children reignite their imagination. Giving children unstructured play time when they are used to a very full schedule can feel strange or boring for them at first, but as kids begin to unwind, their creativity can shine through and take the lead.
Kids will invent new games, come up with stories and older children may find a new spot to hang out with friends. Children who are free to make mistakes feel more comfortable branching out, because they aren’t as preoccupied with a fear of making errors.
Open Up
Ask open-ended questions whenever possible. It’s a wonderful way to encourage kids to open up, take in their surroundings and dive deeper into what they are seeing.
Another amazing side effect is that the parent-child connection is strengthened, and parents are more able to see the world through their child’s eyes. Open-ended questions are a gentle nudge to explore, that shows a child that the parent is listening, engaged and is exploring alongside them.
For a nervous child, having the support and eagerness of a parent who wants to play can provide a game-changing confidence boost. During the brainstorming and decision-making phase of adventure planning, asking open-ended questions can empower kids and spark the interest of teens.
Starting with questions about what kind of hobby they’d like to try, or a place they’d like to see, and why, can start to open the doors to great conversations and adventures.
Something New
Visit somewhere new together, and let your child take the lead. This doesn’t need to be somewhere far, it can be as simple as a playground you haven’t visited before, or walking a nature trail that you haven’t wandered in a while. Your child might prefer some structure to the adventure, or they may know where they want to go first. You know your child best, so starting small and branching out with baby steps may be the most successful approach to build adventuring momentum. Just follow their lead and see what happens!
Start with an activity that has some set goals. If you or your child need some inspiration to get started, trying a new outdoor activity like geocaching, or a local rock hunting-and-hiding group can be a fun way to scope out new places.
Sometimes, a great mission can be to taste something new! Trying a restaurant that offers traditional foods from a different culture is a great way to engage all five senses and spark a new interest. If you like art, pack up some supplies with the goal of painting or drawing an outdoor scene together, whether you simply sit outside your home or go to the park, creating art somewhere outside can offer a new perspective and spark a feeling of wonder.
Get in the Spirit
When we help foster our children’s spirit of exploration, we are in turn fostering our own. Spending time outside or trying new things together can help adults slow down and live in the moment, with the added benefit of a strengthened connection between family members. Children who explore can feel more confident and secure, which provides benefits in so many areas of life. Every time we explore together, it feels easier to integrate into our lives. Take a bit of time to adventure this week, and watch your child become a natural explorer!
