Teaching Kids Curiosity

Summary

The Dr. Laura Podcast

Episode: Teaching Kids Curiosity
Date: June 28, 2026
Host: Dr. Laura Schlessinger
Theme: Fostering Curiosity in Children

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Episode Overview

This episode of The Dr. Laura Podcast is focused on the natural curiosity of children, the dangers of squelching it (especially in schools and households), and actionable advice for parents on how to nurture and maintain kids’ love of learning. Dr. Laura highlights the importance of parental modeling, engagement, and the intrinsic value of curiosity. The discussion incorporates research insights, practical examples, and her trademark no-nonsense advice.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Children Are Naturally Curious

[01:43]

• Dr. Laura asserts that curiosity is innate:

  "Kids love to learn. Their little brains are like sponges. Ready, ready, ready, ready. You don't have to teach kids to be curious."

• Young children use all senses—including taste initially—to explore and learn about their world.

What Undermines Curiosity

[02:16]

• Schools and Home Environments:
  Dr. Laura expresses concern that systems can suppress curiosity:
  • Schools, especially public ones, may "squelch it" through misinformation and a culture of control.
  • At home, lack of parental interest or availability can have a similar negative effect.

How Parents Can Foster Curiosity

Role Modeling Learning
[02:42]

• Dr. Laura emphasizes that children model what they see:

  "First thing, always parents need to do is role model. When was the last time your kids saw you learn something new? Read a book, fixing something, creating something..."

• She stresses the importance of parents trying new activities and inviting kids to explore alongside them.

Collaborative Problem-Solving
[03:17]

• When children ask questions, parents should avoid dismissing them—even (especially) if they don’t know the answer:

  "When your kid asks you a question you don't know the answer. Do you tell them to screw off? Do you look up the answer and give it to him or her? Or do you say, let's figure out how we can figure it out?"

• Dr. Laura encourages involving the child in finding answers, asking them how they might approach the problem.

Active Questioning
[03:48]

• Parents should ask their children questions to stimulate thinking:

  "Ask your kid a lot of questions. You notice I am full of questions on this program. Ask a million questions of your child so they have to think and figure things out."

• She insists "I don't know" isn’t an acceptable endpoint for exploration.

Always Be Willing to Talk
[04:00]

• Conversation and engagement are critical:

  "Always be willing to talk unless you have terrible gas pains or can't stay awake."

Practical Tips to Encourage Curiosity

Be Present and Invested
[07:10]

• Dr. Laura cautions against brushing kids off:

  "Other than that, it’s easy for a parent to say, ‘not now, I’m busy, we’ll talk later.’ Don’t do that. That really squashes the enthusiasm and curiosity a kid has. Don’t do that. Be available, be present, be invested, be involved."

Provide Learning Tools and Opportunities
[07:34]

• Suggestions include:
  • Go to the library
  • Buy books
  • Seek out learning activities and quality resources online (while cautioning against giving idle internet access)

Don’t Reward Learning with Prizes
[07:52]

• Dr. Laura references research showing over-praising or rewarding learning can backfire:

  “The more you reward someone for a task, the less interested they actually become in the task because they become more interested in the reward. And curiosity in figuring things out should be its own reward."

Celebrate Small Successes (Both Kids and Adults)
[08:17]

• Dr. Laura shares a personal anecdote:

  "I'm 71 and I know every time I don't know how to do something and I figure it out, I feel like hot stuff... Makes me happy. Does the same for your kids."

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On natural curiosity:

  "Their little brains are like sponges... You don't have to teach kids to be curious." — Dr. Laura, [01:44]

• On parental modeling:

  "When was the last time your kids saw you learn something new?... Let's try something new." — Dr. Laura, [02:43]

• On collaborative discovery:

  "Let's figure out how we can figure it out. Where can we find the answer?" — Dr. Laura, [03:19]

• On being available:

  "Be available, be present, be invested, be involved." — Dr. Laura, [07:12]

• On intrinsic motivation:

  "Curiosity in figuring things out should be its own reward and that's how they'll get through life in a quality way." — Dr. Laura, [07:55]

• Personal touch:

  "I'm notorious for being dumb in those two categories (electrical or mechanical). And when I can figure something out... I am very impressed with myself." — Dr. Laura, [08:18]

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Important Segment Timestamps

• [01:43]—Natural curiosity in children; risks of it being squelched.
• [02:42]—Role modelling learning as a parent.
• [03:17]—Involving kids in searching for answers.
• [03:48]—Importance of parental questioning and engagement.
• [07:10]—Don't dismiss kids’ curiosity; be present.
• [07:34]—Providing tools and environments for exploration.
• [07:52]—Why external rewards can lessen interest in learning.
• [08:17]—Dr. Laura’s personal story about the satisfaction of learning.

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Tone & Language

Dr. Laura’s style is warm but direct, blending anecdotes, scientific insight, and plainspoken parenting guidance. She encourages listeners to reflect honestly on their own habits and level of engagement, using humor and personal stories to underline her points.

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Summary Takeaway

Dr. Laura’s central message:
Curiosity is a natural, precious attribute in children. Nurturing it requires active parental engagement, modeling, and a focus on the intrinsic joy of learning—not external rewards. Parents should be present, involved, and open to exploring the unknown together with their kids.

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Want more?
Listen to daily episodes for more candid advice, real-life stories, and actionable insights with Dr. Laura.
Call 1-800-DR-LAURA to join the conversation.

Transcript

[Dr. Laura]

Ladies.

[Health Podcast Host]

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[Parenting Expert]

Kids love to learn. Their little brains are like sponges. Ready, ready, ready, ready. You don't have to teach kids to be curious. They are constantly putting stuff in their mouths because initially that's how they relate to the world and they just start using their eyes and hands and nose and everything else. So kids have curiosity. Schools can squelch it and our public schools do with misinformation and the control of thought and opinions. So children's curiosity can be squashed largely in public schools, and they can be squashed at home by parents who are not around and not interested. So for the rest of you, how can we keep a good thing going? First thing, always parents need to do is role model. When was the last time your kids saw you learn something new? Read a book, Fixing something, creating something. When was the last time they saw you doing anything but sitting on your butt and watching a movie? When was the last time you said, let's try something new, new place to go, new way to handle a holiday. When was the last time you said let's figure out something new? When your kid asks you a question, you don't know the answer. Do you tell them to screw off? Do you look up the answer and give it to him or her? Or do you say, let's figure out how we can figure it out? Where can we find the answer? Where do you think? Ask your kid a lot of questions. You notice I am full of questions on this program. Ask a million questions of your child so they have to think and figure things out. And remember, I don't know, not allowed. Always be willing to talk unless you have terrible gas pains or can't stay awake.

[Health Podcast Host]

As people age, it's normal to ask what more they could be doing to take care of their health. It's important to be proactive, especially when it comes to your brain health. Don't wait for something to feel off before taking action. Make your next checkup count. Ask your doctor about your risk factors for dementia and a cognitive assessment. Visit brainhealthmatters.com for more information and resources provided by Lilly Ladies, if you're in that phase where your body's just doing new things, sleep's weird, energy's weird, cravings also weird, you're not alone. It's totally normal. Menopause and perimenopause just means your body needs a little support. And sprouts makes that support easier so you can start feeling more like you. Tons of fresh organic produce for fiber, sprouts, protein and creatine to keep your muscles and bones strong and your energy up. And strengthen your supplements that can help you manage mood shifts. So whether it's perimenopause, menopause or any other health journey, it's easier at Sprouts Farmers Market. Here's some common sense advice. Your body needs support to function properly, including your vaginal health, and that includes maintaining a healthy PH balance. New Azo Vaginal Probiotic Mini Chews helps keep that healthy bacterial balance and that helps keep yeast and odor in check. It's great tasting, easy to take, and no pill means no water. That makes it simple to add to your daily routine. And simplicity is how good habits stick. Visit azoproducts.com for product details, usage instructions and safety information.

[Game Show Host]

Welcome back to Should I See a Doctor? Contestant. You're camping. When a rash appears on your leg, do you a ignore it, B frantically search the Internet or c use telehealth through Walmart? Telehealth through Walmart? Who knew?

[Parenting Expert]

Oh, I'm gonna say C Walmart.

[Game Show Host]

Correct. Walmart can connect you with 24. 7 virtual medical care. You genius you.

[Parenting Expert]

Well I can fold a fitted sheet.

[Game Show Host]

Walmart. Who knew telehealth services offered by third party providers. Restrictions and fees may apply.

[Dr. Laura]

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[Parenting Expert]

Other than that, it's easy for a parent to say not now, I'm busy, we'll talk later. Don't do that. That really squashes the enthusiasm and curiosity a kid has. Don't do that. Be available, be present, be invested, be involved. Provide the tools for learning. Go to the library, buy books, find learning activities, quality things on the net. Don't just give them full access to just watch porn and stupid stuff. And don't reward learning. The research actually shows that the more you reward someone for a task, the less interested they actually become in the task because they become more interested in the reward. And curiosity in figuring things out should be its own reward and that's how they'll get through life in a quality way. I'm 71 and I know every time I don't know how to do something and I figure it out, I feel like hot stuff. I figured this out, especially if it's electrical or mechanical because I'm notorious for being dumb in those two categories. And when I can figure something out because nobody else is around, I am very impressed with myself. Makes me happy. Does the same for you kids. My number one, 800-375-2872.

[Health Podcast Host]

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[Dr. Laura]

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[Parenting Expert]

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[Dr. Laura]

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[Parenting Expert]

It happened is not a phrase anybody uses when they take responsibility.

[Dr. Laura]

Inspiration.

[Parenting Expert]

Every time you go to bed with a negative thought, you have to match it up with a positive one. That's your new rule.

[Dr. Laura]

Dr. Laura Weekdays at 2pm east on SiriusXM Triumph 123 and on the Sirius XM app.

[Health Podcast Host]

As people age, it's normal to ask what more they could be doing to take care of their health. It's important to be proactive, especially when it comes to your brain health. Don't wait for something to feel off before taking action. Make your next checkup count. Ask your doctor about your risk factors for dementia and a cognitive assessment. Visit brainhealthmatters.com for more information and resources provided by Lily welcome back to Should

[Game Show Host]

I See a Doctor Contestant. You're camping. Rash appears on your leg. Do you a ignore it B frantically search the Internet or c use telehealth through Walmart? Telehealth through Walmart who knew?

[Parenting Expert]

Oh, I'm gonna say C. Walmart.

[Game Show Host]

Correct. Walmart can connect you with 24. 7 virtual medical care.

[Parenting Expert]

Eugenius you well I can fold a fitted sheet.

[Game Show Host]

Walmart who knew? Telehealth services offered by third party providers. Restrictions and fees may apply.