Explore the idea of raising a 'why child' who thrives on curiosity and questions. Inspired by F. Scott Fitzgerald, this discussion highlights the importance of nurturing a child's inquisitive spirit. Discover how encouraging endless questions fosters deeper understanding and lifelong learning. Rather than shying away from the annoyance that comes with constant inquiries, embrace it as a pathway to enlightenment. Cultivating curiosity may lead to a more engaged and knowledgeable individual.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Fitzgerald's "Why" Child
F. Scott Fitzgerald's story "Head and Shoulders" mentions a "why" child.
This child's father, a professor, answered all of their questions.
insights INSIGHT
Raising "Why" Children
Raise children to be “why” children, curious and inquisitive.
Encourage them to question everything and seek deeper understanding.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Nurturing Curiosity
Cultivate the habit of questioning in children.
Never suppress their curiosity, even when inconvenient.
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In 'Head and Shoulders', F. Scott Fitzgerald tells the story of Horace Tarbox, a brilliant but socially awkward young scholar, and Marcia Meadow, a lively vaudeville performer. Their unexpected marriage leads to a surprising shift in their careers, as Horace becomes a performer and Marcia an acclaimed author. The story explores themes of love, identity, and the unpredictability of life.
Curious George
H. A. Rey
Margret Rey
Curious George is the first book in the beloved series by H.A. and Margret Rey. It tells the story of a monkey named George, captured from the jungle by the Man in the Yellow Hat and taken to the city, where his curiosity leads to various amusing mishaps. The book is celebrated for its engaging illustrations and lessons on curiosity and friendship.
In one of F. Scott Fitzerald’s funniest short stories, “Head and Shoulders,” a certifiable genius falls in love with a showgirl. The plot and moral of the story aren’t relevant for today’s email—though the story is highly recommended—instead there is a little passage in it that introduces a concept that is worth thinking about:
“I was a ‘why child. I wanted to see the wheels go around. My father was a young economics professor at Princeton. He brought me up on the system of answering every question I asked him to the best of his ability.”
A “why child”—what a delightful phrase! Isn’t that what we’re trying to raise? We’ve talked about raising a child who knows how to “figure things out” but this is part and parcel of that. A why child isn’t content to take things at face value, or simple explanations. They not only want to see the wheels go round, they want to know why, they want to know how, they want to know where they came from in the first place.
Can this be annoying? Absolutely. It can even get them in trouble (isn’t that the whole message of the Curious George series?). But curious is better than complacent, annoying is better than ignorant.
You must seed this habit. You must make sure you water it too—and do your best never to stamp it out, just because you’re tired, or just because the question is inappropriate. The more questions they ask the better. Not just to their parents, but for their whole life.
The Daily Dad 
