Deepen Your Connection With Your Child: 5 Ways Curiosity Becomes Your Superpower

When a child comes to us with questions, complaints, or provocative statements, our instinct might be to respond quickly, offer solutions, or explain how things are meant to be. But instead of jumping to conclusions, we can choose curiosity. Curiosity is a superpower because it deepens connection, helps us understand children better, and supports them in becoming who they truly are.

Here are five ways to bring curiosity into your interactions with children, and why it matters.

1. Ask More Questions Than You Answer. Curiosity keeps the flame of imagination alive. Instead of positioning ourselves as teachers or problem-solvers, we can enter the child’s world as explorers. Asking more questions than giving answers leaves space for their creativity and reasoning to grow. Children feel whether our curiosity is genuine or judgmental. When our intention is to listen and learn, they are more willing to share their thoughts and feelings. By asking open-ended questions rather than giving explanations, we nurture imagination, invite new perspectives, and allow children to flourish in their own unique way.

2. Embrace Openness in Responses. When a child answers, receive it with an open mind and heart, even if it seems simple, off topic, or surprising, because it carries meaning. What may sound irrelevant to us may be the child’s way of expressing what feels important in that moment. These are the moments to lean in with even greater curiosity, not less. Every response is a doorway into their inner world, and walking through it with curiosity strengthens trust. Appreciating their answers, rather than overlaying your own interpretation, reassures them that their voice matters, builds confidence, and encourages them to share more freely.

3. Celebrate Simplicity. Children often speak profound truths in the simplest language. Don’t expect long or elaborate answers. A short answer is not shallow. It is a clear window into their genuine experience. When we expect children to respond like adults, with detailed explanations, we risk shutting down their willingness to share. Curiosity doesn’t seek complexity. It seeks authenticity. Embracing their brevity allows us to see the depth behind their words and teaches us to value clarity over complexity.

4. Be Fully Present. Curiosity requires more than words. It calls for full presence. Tune into the child’s tone, gestures, and emotions. Symbolic play often carries meaning beyond the literal, especially for younger children. Rather than rushing to explain, allow yourself to experience the play as it unfolds. Presence opens the door to deeper understanding. When we are curious, we begin to see the world as they do, and we realize how their playful expressions make perfect sense within the context of their experience.

5. Become the Student. Let go of being the all-knowing adult. Enter the child’s world with humility, as if you are the student and they are the teacher. In this posture, you not only learn how they see the world, but also show them that their ideas and imagination matter. This is how children feel truly seen, heard, and loved. We, in turn, are reminded of the wisdom and creativity that children carry so naturally. Curiosity is not a one-way act of guidance; it is a dance between asking and receiving, speaking and being silent, knowing and discovering.

Curiosity is more than a strategy. It is a way of being with children. It helps us listen, observe, and participate without imposing. It strengthens connection, nourishes trust, and reminds children that their thoughts and feelings matter. When we share the gift of curiosity, whether in play, in stories, or in everyday life, we keep imagination alive and love flowing. Curiosity really is a superpower. It transforms not only our children, but ourselves.

Maria Lentzou, LMFT, NTP, weaves together therapy, expressive arts, and creative projects to inspire both children and adults to live with ease, and to embrace curiosity, presence, and authentic connection. She is author of the award-winning children’s book for emotional growth MarlaGran: The Girl Who Wants to Live Creatively. Maria leads retreats and Authentic Movement groups that explore inner freedom and feminine essence. For more information visit www.marialentzou.com.