Curiosity is a gift

I think, at a child's birth, if a mother could ask a fairy godmother to endow it with the most useful gift, that gift should be curiosity.

~ Eleanor Roosevelt

Our younger granddaughter's favourite word is currently Why?

Although her questioning stumps us every once in a while, it stimulates creative thinking, provides an opportunity to teach right from wrong, and helps clarify needs, desires and values. 

Since starting to ask why, her vocabulary and sensibility have grown exponentially.

Recently, her slightly older sister, after a long, tiring day, had a meltdown picking the clothes she would wear that evening. She insisted that nothing match, a difficult task because, according to her, pink was too similar to purple and grey too close to blue. 

Now, I was curious. This little girl took pride in carefully matching her outfits in the past. 

The next day, when she woke up feeling rested and joyful, I asked why she was now opposed to wearing clothes that are colour coordinated. 

Her answer left me speechless.

Nana, when I look at myself in the mirror and my clothes match, my energy does not feel right.

How can one argue with that? Allowing this feisty little girl to exert some control where there is no harm is a step towards healthy growth and development.

As children grow up, our role as grandparents, parents and caregivers is to let go of the need to control. We can teach children skills for survival and productive living, but concealed within and yet to be revealed is the source of purposeful living.

Curiosity is a doorway into the soul and the path to living a meaningful life.

Our power lies in the question. The belief that we have all the answers serves no one well.