CURIOSITY

Curiosity as the inquisitive desire about the nature of an object or phenomenon is an emotional aspect, it implies exploration, investigation and learning. It is the fuel of science and of the disciplines regarding the study of man. What makes children eager to learn? According to several studies, the hidden force that stimulates learning is curiosity: the joy of exploring activates critical thinking and reasoning. Curiosity therefore enhances learning. Children perceive a gap between what they know and what they would like to know, regardless of whether they want to achieve immediate results or good grades. Several studies suggest that curious children have a rich life and a better working career. It has also emerged that curiosity is related to a wide range of important adaptive behaviors, such as tolerance of anxiety and uncertainty, positive emotions, humor and non-critical attitude. 

Correlation with happiness: Intellectual curiosity makes one vital and vitality, in turn, makes one happy.

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STRATEGIES FOR TEACHERS

1. Enhance curiosity: Often the temptation is to reward students when curiosity leads to a desired result or a good grade, but it is more important to notice and reinforce curiosity when we see it in action, for example by reinforcing students when they ask questions.

2. Teach students how to ask ""quality"" questions. ""Quality"" questions are a vital tool for curiosity. Good questions contain ""why?"", ""what?"" and ""how?"".

3. Spread curiosity. Curiosity is contagious: create opportunities for group activities for students in order to involve even the least curious students.

4. Keep updating your knowledge. Current news can lead students to ask proactive questions that help bring to light what is beneath the surface of society's problems.

5. Teach students to be skeptical. "Skeptikos" which means "observe, examine”. A skeptical person requires further proof before accepting someone's statements as true. Is willing to challenge the status quo with an open mind and through healthy discussion.