We all know that asking "why?" as already created a question and a curiosity. The title of this article should be "what is your response to someone asking 'why'?" That would be to "look it up"! If you constantly give children the answers, then they don't learn the mechanics of looking things up and do not learn where and how to find that information. We all need to be information literate, which means not only having information but also learning where to find it.
Asking "why?" is the way children learn. They want to know answers to things. It is even the adults that ask that same question, who are pulled towards expanding their education. The word, "why", creates a platform for accessing knowledge, becoming more interested in learning in general, and regarding a particular topic, and enables one to be exposed to new ideas and information. Sometimes, that information, pushes forward and opens up new doors to other things. Without asking "why?" creates a lazy mind who just does not care about things. It is the person that asks this important question that does not accept things as face value, but rather, wants to learn.
Encourage children in school to find answers to their questions. Tell them to open up any reference book and question things. Without being curious, they will not even have a reason to read. Reading brings power, it adds to learning, and actually makes learning easier. Have students go to the library, "just because", not because they have homework or a report to do. We want to encourage learning. Many teachers want a book report written after every book is read, where I, as a librarian, prefer the children to write 3-5 sentences as to why they would recommend or not recommend a book. This is called a "book review". If a large book report is required with every book read, then most children will not read that much, for they know that more work is required after they close that book. I have been asked "why?"....before, as to why I do not make children write book report after book report. While these do encourage writing, they discourage reading! Adults asking this most important question occurs, because as children, they too, were encouraged to ask "why?" That is not only okay, but necessary, for them to learn the reasons for things.
The most important question is just one word: "why?" Why is the sky blue, why are there 7 colors in the rainbow? "How?" questions do not happen, unless the intriguing "why?" questions happen first. At times, we all act like three year-olds, asking questions. The difference is that we don't have to verbalize them like the way toddlers do, but rather, internalize them. The question just add up, unless we get answers to them, and that, opens up the mind to imagination and dreams!
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