Simple Ways to Spark Your Child's Curiosity at Home

Your home is already filled with learning opportunities for your child—no fancy materials required!

As parents of young children, we've all had those moments—watching our curious explorer become completely absorbed in exploring a cardboard box or arranging bottle caps in patterns across the floor. These aren't just cute moments; they're powerful learning opportunities happening right before our eyes!

The magic of everyday object

In our recent EtonHouse Parenting Webinar, we explored how simple household items can become your child's favourite learning tools. Inspired by the Reggio Emilia Approach, this way of thinking celebrates children's natural curiosity and their ability to learn through hands-on exploration.

What are "loose parts"? They're simply open-ended materials that your child can move, combine, redesign, and reimagine. The best part? You already have them at home! Look around for bottle caps, container lids, cardboard tubes, fabric scraps, natural items like pinecones, and even kitchen items such as measuring cups or wooden spoons. These everyday objects can spark imagination and learning in surprising ways.

Turn daily routines into learning adventures

For your toddler (18 months to 3 years)

Toddlers are sensory explorers who learn through touch, movement, and observation. Try placing different coloured bottle caps in a muffin tin and watch as your toddler sorts them by colour. Create simple sensory experiences by filling a shallow container with dried beans and hiding small toys for them to discover. During daily routines, point to household objects and clearly name them to build vocabulary naturally.

For your pre-schooler (3 to 6 years)

• Number play: "Can you stack 5 bottle caps? Can you make a pattern with them?"
• Letter hunt: "Let's find things in our house that start with the 'b' sound!"
• Problem-solving: "How could we build a bridge for your toy car using these materials?"
  

Creating inviting spaces for exploration

Small changes can make a big difference in how your child engages with materials. Try displaying items at your child's eye level in clear containers that show what's inside. Keep interest high by rotating materials weekly—what was ignored last month might become fascinating today.

A simple approach is to set up a tray with three to four items that might work well together, placed where your child can easily access them. Most importantly, give your child uninterrupted time to explore. Deeper learning often happens when children have space to concentrate without interruption.

Learning beyond your living room

This approach to learning works everywhere you go! Count steps as you walk up to your apartment together, or turn a trip to the playground into a shape-spotting adventure. The grocery store becomes a rich learning environment when you talk about the colours, shapes, and textures of fruits and vegetables. These everyday moments build vocabulary and mathematical thinking without feeling like "lessons."

The parent's role—less directing, more observing

You don't need to lead every learning experience or provide constant entertainment. Sometimes, the most powerful thing you can do is simply observe and ask open-ended questions:

• "What do you notice about these?"
• "What else could you do with this?"
• "I wonder what would happen if..."

Then, step back and watch the learning unfold! Your child will often surprise you with their unique perspectives and solutions.

Start small—you don't need to transform your home overnight. Begin with one container of interesting objects on a low shelf, or dedicate 15 minutes to exploring materials together after breakfast. The most important thing isn't what materials you provide, but the curiosity and joy you nurture along the way.

Discover how our Reggio Emilia-inspired learning environment nurtures your child's curiosity.