Let’s dive into curiosity as the main driver of our books
Hello Moms, Dads, Grandparents and anyone else involved in raising tiny little humans!
Let’s put our explorer hat on and explore curiosity together. Why did we choose curiosity as the main driver of our books, what is it and how does it affect our bodies?
What is Curiosity?
Curiosity is a natural desire to learn more about the world around us and to explore things that are unknown or unfamiliar. It is a mental state that pushes us to seek new information and ask questions. Throughout history, curiosity has been fundamental for human development, growth and innovation.
Origin of the Word “Curiosity”
The word comes from the Latin word “curiositas”, which is derived from curiosus, meaning “careful” or “inquisitive”. The term “curiosus” started being used in English in the 16th century and was connected to the idea of wanting to learn or understand more about a certain topic. Over time, curiosus has come to describe a specific aspect of human cognition and behavior – the instinct to explore, understand and make sense of the world.
Curiosity and our bodies
Curiosity is very much embedded in how our brain and bodies work, with several mechanisms driving it:
- Brain and Neurotransmitters: Curiosity is closely linked to brain activity. When we are in a new or confusing situation, our brain releases dopamine (a neurotransmitter associated with reward and pleasure). By releasing said dopamine, our behaviour is reinforced, making us feel good when we satisfy our curiosity.
- Cognitive Development: From childhood, both humans and animals are very curious about their surroundings. This helps understand the world around us, gain skills and build knowledge which in turn enhances critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Stress and Motivation: Curiosity plays a big role in reducing stress. For example, when we find ourselves in a stressful or challenging situation, instead of focusing on the situation as it is we can allow ourselves to be curious about it which will make us feel more empowered to face the unknown.
- Physical Response: Being curious can activate a physical response in the form of increased alertness or excitement. For example, leaning forward to observe something interesting. This is nature’s way of orienting us towards new experiences.
The Curious Crew
Apart from empowering parents to have meaningful conversations with their kids in a playful way, our main goal is to nurture curiosity. We believe it is and should be the main driving force in every situation we find ourselves in during our human life. Instead of seeing things as they are, imagine asking yourself different types of questions:
- How can I look at this situation differently?
- What does it teach me?
- How can I use this to my advantage?
Being curious means being powerful. It means being strong and confident enough to walk this journey and change humanity for the better. Let’s start with our own kids and give them the power to explore and the freedom to ask questions.
Until next time,
Your Curious Crew
