The hungry mind: sources of curiosity in childhood

This book aims to answer a number of questions related to children's curiosity, which begins at very early stages, and crystallizes in the pre-school age, when children start to recognize the world around them, and are overwhelmed by an urgent desire to ask questions and inquire about everything, anything. The author emphasizes the importance of responding to the child's curiosity, caring for it, and developing it, utilizing her academic background in psychology to present research that demonstrates the deep-rooted nature of children's curiosity, and its essential role in their psychological, intellectual, and social development. She presents all of this in a simple, engaging style that attracts both the ordinary reader and specialists alike. In each chapter, the author narrates a real story from her personal life, or the life of a family member or friend, to support what she discusses about the importance of curiosity in the lives of children and adults as well. The author affirms that a curious child learns more, but she sees that this wonderful trait diminishes and fades as children grow older. She attributes this decline to teachers' tendency to strictly implement the approved curricula and ignore answering questions sparked by students' curiosity, as some consider it a waste of time.