Misty offers Claire some parenting ideas

_Elsa_

It doesn’t take Misty long to find the perfect article, How To Answer A Child’s Why Question? (Facts & Solutions)

‘Children ask tons of questions and sometimes it can be baffling. But it is important to understand the reasons why they ask questions. It is also helpful to have an idea of how to answer them. Below are more details about a child’s “whys” and how to deal with it.

Why do children ask “why?” - When children reach a certain age, they start to be more curious and ask questions. According to a 2017 Independent UK article, children ask about 73 questions per day. This can be challenging – especially for first-time parents. Yet, the “why stage” of a child is a crucial part of their cognitive development.  

Children’s ability to ask questions shows the range of their cognitive capabilities - They ask “why” to seek facts or explanations. They are inquisitive by nature and interested in their environment. It is typical for them to ask how or why things work or happen. 

“Here are some ways to respond to those why questions,” says Misty. 

Sit and spend time to answer the question - Children ask so many questions and some of them are tough to answer. Still, parents or guardians should listen and engage. Allot time to listen and filter their questions. After that, you should try explaining in a way that the child can understand. Put an effort into answering questions that focus on the child’s learning. Communicating also improves the relationship between a parent or guardian and child. . 

Avoid saying “no” or “because I said so” - Discipline is different from being dismissive. Replying “no” or “because I said so” can cause the child to feel discouraged and confused. This hinders their curiosity and decreases their motivation to learn. Instead, empathize and give them reassurance. Most importantly, encourage them to ask questions.

Ask the child to answer the question/s - Sometimes try hearing about their thoughts or opinions. Ask the child what he or she thinks is the answer to the question. This encourages them to think and be confident.

Admit it when you don’t know the answer - Of course, there are questions that even an adult can’t answer. It’s okay to mention that you don’t know the answer. It teaches them that being honest about not knowing is acceptable. 

Ask them questions - A young child will ask queries centered on who, what, where, and when. The level or type of questions improves as they grow and develop. You can influence them by asking them why (and how) questions. This can also exercise their critical thinking abilities.     

Children have many various reasons why they ask “why?”. The main reason is because of their curiosity and eagerness to learn. They also ask questions to bond with other people. There are also many ways the parents or guardians can respond. The most important is to understand our children and encourage their development. Listening and communicating with them is the best approach you can do as a parent or guardian.’ (Source) 

Let’s continue - Time to say goodbye

Start at the beginning – Misty offers some information on sunrise and sunset

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Start at the beginning of the main story – Why … But WHY?

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