5 Ways to Encourage Your Child's Natural Curiosity

Just like Maverick, children are naturally curious about the world around them. Here are five simple ways to nurture that wonderful sense of wonder and help your little ones explore safely

When I watch Maverick approach each day with his signature "SNIFF-SNIFF-SNORT!" and boundless enthusiasm for discovery, I'm reminded of something beautiful: curiosity isn't just a trait that some children have and others don't—it's a natural gift that every child is born with. Just as Maverick transforms ordinary walks into expeditions of discovery, treating every flower as worthy of investigation and every new scent as a mystery to solve, children come into this world with an innate desire to explore, question, and understand everything around them.

The challenge for parents and caregivers isn't to create curiosity in children—it's already there, bubbling beneath the surface like Maverick's excitement when he spots his orange bouncy ball. Our job is to nurture that natural wonder, protect it from being diminished by routine or discouragement, and provide safe, supportive environments where curiosity can flourish and grow.

Through creating Maverick's character and watching how children respond to his adventures, I've learned that curiosity is more than just asking "why" or wanting to touch everything in sight. It's a fundamental way of engaging with the world that leads to learning, creativity, problem-solving, and joy. When we encourage our children's curiosity, we're not just helping them learn facts about their environment—we're helping them develop the mindset and skills they'll need to navigate an ever-changing world with confidence and enthusiasm.

The five approaches I'm sharing today aren't complex theories or expensive programs. They're simple, practical ways to honor and nurture the natural curiosity that already exists in your child, inspired by the same spirit of wonder and discovery that makes Maverick such a beloved character. Just as Maverick finds magic in everyday moments, these strategies will help you and your child discover the extraordinary in the ordinary, turning daily life into a series of small adventures and meaningful discoveries.

1. Create a "Wonder Walk" Tradition: Following Maverick's Lead

One of the most beautiful aspects of Maverick's character is how he approaches every walk as an adventure, never knowing what discoveries await around the next corner. His enthusiastic investigation of flowers, his careful selection of the perfect stick, and his joyful response to unexpected encounters show us that curiosity thrives when we slow down and pay attention to the world around us.

Creating a "Wonder Walk" tradition with your child captures this same spirit of discovery and transforms ordinary outings into opportunities for exploration and learning. Unlike regular walks where the goal might be exercise or getting from point A to point B, Wonder Walks are specifically designed to follow your child's interests and questions, allowing their natural curiosity to guide the experience.

The key to successful Wonder Walks lies in shifting your mindset from destination-focused to discovery-focused. Instead of hurrying past the dandelions growing through sidewalk cracks, you stop and examine them together. Instead of redirecting your child's attention from the interesting bug on the fence post, you crouch down and observe it with them. This approach requires patience and flexibility, but the rewards are immense.

Start your Wonder Walks by setting the expectation that this is special exploration time. You might say something like, "Today we're going on a Maverick-style adventure walk. We're going to use our eyes, ears, and noses to discover interesting things, just like Maverick does with his 'SNIFF-SNIFF-SNORT!'" This framing helps children understand that their observations and questions are not just welcome—they're the whole point of the experience.

Encourage your child to lead the investigation when something catches their attention. If they're fascinated by the texture of tree bark, spend time running your hands over different trees and talking about what you notice. If they're curious about why some leaves are different colors, collect samples and examine them together. If they want to watch ants carrying crumbs, sit quietly and observe the tiny drama unfolding before you.

The magic of Wonder Walks lies not in covering a lot of ground or seeing spectacular sights, but in developing the habit of noticing and questioning. When your child learns to look closely at the world around them, they develop observational skills that serve them well in all areas of learning. When they practice articulating what they notice and wonder about, they build vocabulary and communication skills. When they experience the joy of discovery, they develop positive associations with learning that last a lifetime.

Document your Wonder Walk discoveries in simple ways that help your child remember and reflect on their experiences. This might be as simple as taking photos of interesting finds, collecting small treasures in a special bag, or talking about your discoveries over dinner. Some families keep Wonder Walk journals where they draw pictures or write about what they found. These documentation practices help children understand that their observations and questions are valuable and worth remembering.

Remember that Wonder Walks don't require exotic locations or perfect weather. Some of the most meaningful discoveries happen in familiar places when we take the time to look closely. The crack in the sidewalk that's become home to a tiny plant, the way shadows change throughout the day, the different sounds you hear in your neighborhood—all of these become fascinating when approached with curiosity and attention.

2. Embrace the "I Don't Know, Let's Find Out Together" Approach

One of the most powerful ways to nurture your child's curiosity is to model curiosity yourself, and there's no better way to do this than by honestly admitting when you don't know something and then embarking on a journey of discovery together. This approach transforms you from the all-knowing adult who has answers to everything into a fellow explorer who's genuinely interested in learning alongside your child.

When Maverick encounters something new or puzzling in his adventures, he doesn't pretend to understand it immediately. Instead, he investigates with enthusiasm and persistence, using all his senses to gather information. This same spirit of genuine inquiry can transform the way you respond to your child's questions and create opportunities for shared learning that strengthen your relationship while building important skills.

The phrase "I don't know, let's find out together" becomes a powerful tool for several reasons. First, it validates your child's question as important and worth investigating. Instead of dismissing their curiosity or providing a quick answer that ends the conversation, you're showing that their wondering is valuable and deserves attention. Second, it models intellectual humility—the understanding that not knowing something isn't a failure, but an opportunity for learning. Third, it creates a partnership where you and your child become co-investigators, working together to satisfy your shared curiosity.

This approach works for questions both big and small. When your four-year-old asks why the sky is blue, instead of launching into a complex explanation about light wavelengths that they can't yet understand, you might say, "That's such a great question! I wonder about that too. Let's see what we can discover about why the sky looks blue to us." Then you can explore together through simple experiments with prisms, looking at pictures of the sky at different times of day, or finding age-appropriate books that explore this question.

The investigation process becomes as valuable as the answer itself. When you and your child look things up together, conduct simple experiments, ask other people what they think, or observe phenomena over time, you're teaching research skills, critical thinking, and persistence. You're also showing that learning is a lifelong process and that adults continue to discover new things throughout their lives.

Sometimes the best investigations are the ones that lead to more questions rather than definitive answers. When your child wonders why some flowers smell sweet and others don't smell at all, your exploration might lead you to discover that flowers use scent to attract different types of pollinators, which might then lead to questions about bees, butterflies, and how plants make seeds. This kind of branching curiosity mirrors how real learning happens and helps children understand that knowledge is interconnected.

Don't worry about having all the right resources or knowing the best places to find answers. Part of the learning process is figuring out how to investigate questions together. You might start with simple observations, move on to books from the library, try basic experiments, or ask knowledgeable friends or family members. The process of learning how to learn is just as important as the specific facts you discover.

Remember that some of the most meaningful investigations are the ones that unfold over time. If your child is curious about how plants grow, you might plant seeds together and observe them daily, documenting changes and discussing what you notice. If they're wondering about weather patterns, you might keep a simple weather journal for a month, noting temperature, precipitation, and cloud types. These extended investigations teach patience, observation skills, and the understanding that some questions require time and sustained attention to answer.

3. Set Up "Discovery Stations" Around Your Home

Just as Maverick's world is full of interesting things to investigate—from his beloved orange bouncy ball to his carefully curated sock collection under the couch—your home can become a landscape of discovery opportunities that invite exploration and hands-on learning. Creating designated "Discovery Stations" around your living space provides your child with ongoing opportunities to satisfy their curiosity and engage in self-directed exploration.

Discovery Stations are simply areas of your home that are intentionally set up to encourage investigation, experimentation, and creative play. Unlike toys that have predetermined purposes, these stations offer open-ended materials and experiences that can be explored in multiple ways, allowing your child's natural curiosity to guide their engagement.

A simple science discovery station might include a magnifying glass, a collection of interesting objects to examine (shells, rocks, leaves, feathers), measuring tools like rulers or scales, and containers for sorting and organizing. This station invites children to look closely at the world around them, compare and contrast different objects, and practice the kind of careful observation that scientists use in their work.

An art and creativity station could feature various drawing and painting materials, different types of paper and surfaces to create on, natural materials like leaves and flowers for printing and collaging, and tools for cutting, gluing, and assembling. This type of station encourages children to express their observations and ideas creatively while developing fine motor skills and artistic confidence.

A building and engineering station might include blocks of different sizes and shapes, connecting materials like tape and string, simple tools, and everyday objects that can be repurposed for construction projects. This station invites children to experiment with balance, structure, and problem-solving while bringing their imaginative ideas to life.

The key to successful Discovery Stations is making them accessible and inviting while maintaining some organization that helps children know what's available and how to care for the materials. Clear containers, low shelves, and simple labeling (with pictures for non-readers) help children independently access and return materials. Regular rotation of items keeps the stations fresh and interesting without overwhelming children with too many choices.

Location matters when setting up Discovery Stations. Choose areas where children can work comfortably and where some mess is acceptable. A corner of the kitchen table, a section of the living room floor, or a dedicated space in a child's bedroom can all work well. The important thing is that the space feels welcoming and that children understand they're free to explore the materials in their own way.

Resist the urge to direct or control how children use Discovery Station materials. The goal is to provide opportunities for self-directed exploration, not to teach specific skills or achieve particular outcomes. When your child uses the magnifying glass to examine their own fingernails instead of the shells you provided, they're still developing observation skills and satisfying their curiosity. When they use building blocks to create an abstract sculpture instead of a recognizable structure, they're still experimenting with balance, spatial relationships, and creative expression.

Document your child's discoveries and creations in simple ways that help them reflect on their learning and feel proud of their investigations. Take photos of their block constructions before they're dismantled, display their artwork prominently, or keep a simple journal where you write down interesting things they discover or create. This documentation helps children understand that their explorations are valuable and worth remembering.

Change and refresh Discovery Stations regularly to maintain interest and provide new challenges. This might mean adding seasonal materials (pinecones and acorns in fall, shells and smooth stones in summer), introducing new tools (different types of brushes for painting, various measuring devices for the science station), or rotating materials to prevent overwhelm while keeping things fresh.

4. Practice the Art of "Wondering Aloud" Together

One of the most natural and powerful ways to nurture curiosity is to model wondering aloud—sharing your own questions and observations about the world around you. When Maverick tilts his head with curiosity or pauses to investigate something that has caught his attention, he's demonstrating the kind of engaged, questioning approach to the world that we want to encourage in children.

Wondering aloud means verbalizing the questions and observations that naturally occur to you throughout the day, inviting your child into your thought process and showing them that curiosity is a normal, valuable part of how we engage with the world. This practice helps children understand that asking questions and noticing details isn't just something children do—it's something that curious, engaged people of all ages do throughout their lives.

Start by paying attention to your own natural moments of curiosity and sharing them with your child. When you notice that the leaves on one tree are changing color faster than the leaves on another tree, you might say, "I wonder why that tree's leaves are turning red already when the tree next to it is still mostly green. What do you think might be causing that difference?" When you observe birds gathering in large flocks, you might wonder aloud, "I notice there are so many birds flying together today. I wonder if they're getting ready to fly somewhere warmer for the winter."

The key to effective wondering aloud is to make your questions genuine rather than leading. Instead of asking questions that you already know the answer to and are testing your child's knowledge, share questions that you're genuinely curious about. This authenticity helps children understand that wondering is about genuine inquiry rather than performance, and it creates opportunities for you to investigate questions together.

Use wondering aloud to help your child notice details they might otherwise miss. When you're cooking together, you might wonder aloud about why onions make your eyes water, or why bread dough rises, or how the oven knows when to turn off. When you're doing laundry, you might wonder about how soap cleans clothes, or why some stains come out easily while others don't, or how the washing machine knows how much water to use.

Wondering aloud also helps children develop the vocabulary and thinking patterns associated with inquiry. When you model phrases like "I wonder why..." "I notice that..." "I'm curious about..." and "What would happen if..." you're giving children language tools they can use to express their own curiosity. These sentence starters become scaffolds that help children articulate their questions and observations more clearly.

Encourage your child to share their own wonderings by responding enthusiastically when they voice questions or observations. When your child says, "I wonder why cats purr," resist the urge to immediately provide an answer. Instead, you might respond with, "That's such an interesting thing to wonder about! I've always been curious about that too. What do you think purring might be for?" This response validates their curiosity and invites them to think more deeply about their question.

Create regular opportunities for shared wondering by establishing "wonder time" during daily routines. This might happen during car rides, when you and your child share things you've been wondering about lately. It might happen during bedtime routines, when you reflect on interesting things you noticed during the day. It might happen during meals, when you wonder together about the food you're eating—where it came from, how it was grown, why it tastes the way it does.

Remember that wondering aloud doesn't always need to lead to immediate investigation or answers. Sometimes the most valuable part of the process is simply noticing and articulating our curiosity. When you wonder aloud about why sunsets are sometimes pink and sometimes orange, you don't necessarily need to research the science of light refraction right away. The act of noticing and wondering is valuable in itself and helps develop the habit of paying attention to the world around us.

5. Create "Yes, And..." Opportunities for Exploration

One of the most delightful aspects of Maverick's character is his ability to turn unexpected situations into adventures. When his investigation of the ice cream cart leads to a sticky mishap, he doesn't retreat in embarrassment—he embraces the chaos and finds joy in the unexpected turn of events. This "yes, and..." approach to life's surprises offers a powerful model for how we can respond to our children's curious impulses and creative ideas.

The "yes, and..." principle, borrowed from improvisational theater, involves accepting what's offered and building upon it rather than shutting it down or redirecting it. When applied to nurturing curiosity, this approach means saying yes to your child's interests and ideas whenever possible, and then finding ways to extend and expand upon their natural inclinations rather than limiting or controlling them.

This doesn't mean saying yes to everything or abandoning all boundaries and safety considerations. Instead, it means looking for ways to honor your child's curiosity and creativity while maintaining appropriate limits. When your three-year-old wants to investigate how water moves through different materials, instead of saying "no, you'll make a mess," you might say "yes, let's explore that, and we'll do it outside where we don't have to worry about getting things wet."

The "yes, and..." approach requires flexibility and creativity on your part, but it sends a powerful message to your child that their ideas and interests are valuable and worth pursuing. When your child expresses curiosity about how things work, instead of dismissing their interest as impractical or inconvenient, you look for ways to satisfy that curiosity safely and appropriately.

Sometimes "yes, and..." means modifying your child's idea to make it workable. When your child wants to dig a hole to see what's underground, you might not be able to let them excavate your backyard, but you could say "yes, let's explore what's under the ground, and we'll start by digging in this designated garden area where it's okay to dig." When they want to take apart a household appliance to see how it works, you might say "yes, let's explore how things work inside, and we'll start with this old radio that we don't need anymore."

Other times, "yes, and..." means expanding on your child's interest in ways they might not have considered. When your child is fascinated by the way shadows change throughout the day, you might say "yes, shadows are amazing, and let's see what happens when we make shadow puppets with our hands" or "yes, and let's trace our shadows at different times of day to see how they change."

The "yes, and..." approach also applies to your child's creative and imaginative ideas. When your child announces that they're going to build a rocket ship out of cardboard boxes, instead of pointing out all the reasons why cardboard boxes can't actually fly, you might say "yes, let's build a rocket ship, and we'll make it the most amazing rocket ship ever built." Then you can help them gather materials, brainstorm design features, and create an elaborate imaginative play experience.

This approach requires you to shift from being a manager of your child's activities to being a collaborator in their explorations. Instead of always directing what happens next, you follow their lead and look for ways to support and extend their interests. This collaborative relationship builds your child's confidence in their own ideas while teaching them that their curiosity and creativity are valued and supported.

Remember that "yes, and..." doesn't always require elaborate preparations or expensive materials. Some of the most meaningful explorations happen with simple, everyday items used in creative ways. When your child wants to experiment with mixing colors, you don't need professional art supplies—food coloring and water in clear containers can provide hours of fascinating exploration. When they're curious about how things balance, a simple ruler and various household objects can become an engaging physics experiment.

The "yes, and..." approach also teaches children to be flexible and creative problem-solvers themselves. When they see you consistently looking for ways to make their ideas work rather than reasons why they won't work, they learn to approach challenges with optimism and creativity. They develop the confidence to propose ideas and the resilience to adapt when their initial plans need modification.

Document and celebrate the explorations that emerge from "yes, and..." moments. Take photos of the elaborate cardboard rocket ship, save examples of the color-mixing experiments, write down the interesting discoveries that emerge from digging in the garden. This documentation helps your child understand that their curiosity-driven projects are important and worth remembering, reinforcing the value of exploration and creative thinking.

Nurturing Curiosity as a Lifelong Gift

As I reflect on Maverick's approach to the world—his enthusiastic investigation of every interesting scent, his joyful embrace of unexpected adventures, his persistent curiosity about everything around him—I'm reminded that curiosity isn't just a childhood phase to be managed or outgrown. It's a fundamental way of engaging with the world that leads to learning, growth, creativity, and joy throughout our lives.

When we nurture our children's natural curiosity through Wonder Walks, shared investigations, Discovery Stations, wondering aloud, and "yes, and..." responses to their ideas, we're not just helping them learn facts about their immediate environment. We're helping them develop the mindset and skills they'll need to navigate an ever-changing world with confidence, creativity, and enthusiasm.

The child who learns to notice details during Wonder Walks develops observational skills that will serve them well in science, art, and life. The child who experiences the joy of investigating questions with a supportive adult learns that learning is collaborative and enjoyable rather than solitary and stressful. The child who has access to Discovery Stations learns to direct their own learning and finds satisfaction in hands-on exploration. The child who hears adults wondering aloud learns that curiosity is a lifelong trait worth cultivating. The child whose ideas are met with "yes, and..." responses learns to approach challenges with creativity and optimism.

These experiences and skills compound over time, creating children who see themselves as capable learners, creative problem-solvers, and valuable contributors to their communities. They develop the confidence to ask questions, the persistence to investigate those questions, and the flexibility to adapt when their explorations lead in unexpected directions.

Perhaps most importantly, children who grow up in environments that nurture curiosity learn to find joy and wonder in everyday experiences. Like Maverick, who can turn a simple walk to the farmers' market into an epic adventure, these children develop the ability to see the extraordinary in the ordinary, to find fascination in the familiar, and to approach each day with the expectation that it might bring new discoveries and delights.

The five approaches I've shared today are starting points rather than comprehensive programs. The most important element in nurturing curiosity isn't any specific technique or activity—it's your own attitude and approach. When you model curiosity, respond enthusiastically to your child's questions and ideas, and create environments where exploration is welcomed and celebrated, you're providing the most important gift you can give: the understanding that the world is full of wonders waiting to be discovered, and that your child has the capability and permission to discover them.

Just as Maverick approaches each day with a big stretch, a loud "YAWN!" and the eager question "What's today gonna bring?" we can help our children develop the same enthusiastic anticipation for the discoveries and adventures that await them. In doing so, we're not just nurturing their curiosity—we're nurturing their capacity for lifelong learning, creative thinking, and joyful engagement with the world around them.

"Adventures with Maverick: The Curious Pup" is available now. Use these curiosity-nurturing strategies to help your child develop the same sense of wonder and enthusiasm for discovery that makes Maverick such a beloved character.