logo
BabySparks
logo
  • What is BabySparks?
  • The Science
  • Online Classes
  • Learning Center
  • My BabySparks
  • Login
  • Join Us
  • en
    • es

    • Contact Us

    • Logout
  • My Profile
    • Contact Us
    • Logout
  • Prev
    Teaching toddlers cooperation 0
    Teaching Your Child Cooperation
    24 January 2020
    Next
    Encouraging your toddler's curiosity 0
    How to Nurture Your Child’s Curiosity
    27 January 2020
    Cognitive
    Why Your Toddler Asks, “Why?” All the Time
    27 January, 2020 by BabySparks in Cognitive
    Why do toddlers ask why

    You: “Please clean up your toys.”

    Toddler: “Why?”

    You: “Because someone might step on them and get hurt.”

    Toddler: “Why?”

    Sound familiar? A constant string of questions is very common in toddlerhood. Once your toddler begins to say phrases with three or more words – often around 24 months – you might start hearing questions more often.

    Highlights: 

    • Around 24 months, you might hear your toddler ask a constant string of questions, which means they’re becoming more curious about their world! 
    • These repetitive questions mean that: 
      • They’re seeking information from people they trust.
      • They’re showing interest in what’s around them.
      • They’re building their vocabulary.
      • They’re being proactive about their own learning. 
    • Remember to be patient with their questions, give thoughtful responses, and don’t hesitate to respond with your own questions. 

    Why So Many Questions?

    Put simply, your little one is getting more curious about the world around him. Between 24 and 36 months, your toddler is building his vocabulary at a rapid pace. For him to understand not just words, but also the concepts that go along with words, he starts to question things.

    As he puts words together, he’ll begin to add to questions to get a clearer understanding of what he wants to know. Using the example above, Why might become, Why toys hurt? He might also start asking, Where, What, or What’s that? questions before the age of three, while Who, When, and How? usually appear between ages 3 and 5.

    As repetitive as his questions might seem to you, many benefits come from his curiosity, such as:

    • He’s turning to you to explain things in a way he understands, which shows he is seeking information from people he trusts.
    • He’s showing an interest in what’s around him, which can boost his understanding of objects and people in his environment.
    • He’s building his vocabulary and communication skills by listening to your response and formulating his own answers.
    • He’s being proactive about his own learning, which is an important part of cognitive development.

    Expanding Your Toddler’s Understanding

    By taking these few small steps when your toddler starts throwing questions at you, you can validate his learning process and deepen his understanding.

    Be patient…and make it fun!

    It can certainly feel frustrating to hear a never-ending chain of questions when you say something to your toddler. However, prevent your toddler from sensing your frustration by remaining cool, calm, and collected. Remember – he has a desire to learn, and that’s something to be celebrated!

    You can always make the process more fun for both of you by involving him in a hands-on activity or reading a book instead of answering the same questions repeatedly. For example, if he asks Why? when you tell him to wash his hands before dinner, you might put some glitter on his hands to act like germs. He’ll be able to see the “germs” as he washes them off, which can help him better understand the concept.

    Give detailed responses.

    Your toddler may not understand every word you say, but the more words he hears, the stronger his vocabulary and language skills become. When he asks a question, be as detailed as possible with your response in a way he can still understand.

    For instance, if he asks Why? when you point out ducks flying overhead on a cold day, you can explain that ducks and their families go somewhere warm for the winter. It helps them stay nice and cozy, find food to feed their families, and have more babies. Don’t shy away from answering his questions in detail; trust us, he’s listening and taking it all in!

    Respond with questions.

    Older toddlers between 30 and 36 months often have enough language skills to understand and respond to simple questions. After you answer his question, try asking one back to him to keep those wheels turning.

    For example:

    Him: “What’s that?”

    You: “That’s a leaf. Look, there’s a lot of them over here. Where do you think they came from?”

    After looking around, your toddler says, “Tree, up there!” This simple trick gets him thinking beyond the question he asked.

    Your toddler’s love for questioning is not only normal, but also crucial to his growing problem-solving and critical thinking skills.

     

    0 Comments
    • cognitive
    • language
    • speech
    • toddler
    1 Like!
    Share
    BabySparks

    Recent comments

      Tags

      baby child cognitive feeding fine motor gross motor health language language skills milestones parenting sensory social-emotional speech toddler
      ABOUT US
      THE TEAM
      CHILDCARE PROVIDERS
      TERMS OF SERVICE AND PRIVACY POLICY
      support@babysparks.com
      Copyright © 2021 BabySparks LLC. All rights reserved
      logo
      X
      GET BABYSPARKS
      Step 2 of 2
      ACTIVITY PACKAGE:
      (All Prices in USD)

      Form of Payment

      Monthly: $1.25 per month/per child
      Annually: $12.00 per year/per child (20% discount)

      Form of Payment

      Monthly: $2.25 per month/per child
      Annually: $21.50 per year/per child (20% discount)

      Form of Payment

      Monthly: $5.00 per month/per child
      Annually: $45.00 per year/per child (25% discount)

      Number of children:

      x per child

      Total Amount

      SELECT YOUR METHOD OF PAYMENT
      * Required field
      Buy now BS

      BabySparks Premium Gives You…

      Access to 1,300+ development activities & milestones

      An expert-created program to support the development of children under your care

      Tools to increase family engagement, invite each family to use the program at home

      Ability to track each child's progress in real-time (and share it with his/her family)

      Add unlimited children, caregivers and locations to your account

      Manage and track progress across your organization through our desktop dashboard

      Cancel your subscription at any time

      By clicking on the button below, you agree to our Terms of Service & privacy policy.
      X
      EDIT YOUR ACCOUNT
      Your account
      Change your password
      X
      EDIT YOUR METHOD OF PAYMENT
      Update payment method
      * Required field
      Buy now BS
      By clicking on the button below, you agree to our Terms of Service & privacy policy.
      X
      UPDATE YOUR PACKAGE
      Your Activity Package
      (All Prices in USD)

      1 Month

      $ 3 99

      per month

      1 Year

      $ 23 99

      per year

      Update your package at any time
      (All Prices in USD)
      Pay as you go

      1 Month

      $ 3 99

      per month

      50% Discount

      1 Year

      $ 23 99

      per year

      60% Discount

      Lifetime

      $ 39 99

      one time

      How does it work?

      You can change your activity package at any time.

      The change will take place at the end of your current subscription period.

      You will only be charged the new rate once the change takes place.

      Cancel Activity Package
      shapeCheck

      shapeCheck

      X
      LOGIN BABYSPARKS

      Forgot your password?

      X
      PASSWORD RESET
      X
      RESET PASSWORD
      X
      GET BABYSPARKS
      Step 1 of 2
      Create Your Account

      Already Have an Account? Login

      X
      GET BABYSPARKS
      Step 1 of 2
      Create Your Account

      Already Have an Account? Login

      X
      GET BABYSPARKS
      Step 2 of 2
      Logged in as: (Not me)
      Select Your Activity Package
      (All Prices in USD)
      Pay as you go

      1 Month

      $ 3 99

      per month

      YOUR OFFER

      $ 2 99

      50% Discount

      1 Year

      $ 1 99

      per month

      Paid Annually: $23.99
      YOUR OFFER

      $ 2 99

      60% Discount

      Lifetime

      $ 39 99

      one time

      YOUR OFFER

      $ 2 99

      BabySparks Premium Gives You…

      Access to 1,300+ development activities & milestones

      An expert-created program to support your child’s development

      Weekly development reports summarize progress

      Browse activities for any situation

      Expert-written articles about development

      Sync up to 5 devices (add family and caregivers)

      Add up to 5 babies to your account

      Cancel your susbcription at any time

      * Required field
      Buy now BS
      By clicking on the button below, you agree to our Terms of Service & privacy policy.