p. 28 | The Gratification of Curiosity

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 4, 1908

The Gratification of Curiosity

CURIOSITY is characteristic of childhood. Little folks eagerly inquire, Why is this? What is the reason for that? The judicious teacher not only arouses curiosity, but he teaches also in a way to make children inquisitive, and diligent to find out for themselves. Much of success in teaching lies in the ability to arouse the curiosity, the desire to know, on the part of children. The desire for knowledge once having been awakened, the work of teaching becomes easy. None are so easy to teach and so easy to manage as those who want to know.

The teacher should gratify the curiosity of children whenever it is possible to do so; but when he is unable to answer their questions, he should not hesitate to tell them so. He deceives no one more than himself when he attempts to leave his pupils under the impression that he knows everything. New questions should be asked, and old questions should be put in a new way, so as to attract the attention, and awaken the interest, of the pupils. Thus through the very desire to gratify curiosity the pupil will arouse in himself an increased desire for knowledge.—Selected.