Celebrating Curiosity in Our Youngest Learners

Jane Goodall once said, “What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”

I have always loved Jane Goodall’s story, not just because of her lifelong work with chimpanzees, but because her curiosity started so young. As a little girl, she once hid for hours inside her family’s hen house because she wanted to see exactly how a chicken laid an egg. Her mother couldn’t find her anywhere and must have been worried sick, but when Jane finally emerged, beaming with excitement, her mom didn’t scold her. Instead, she listened. She celebrated her daughter’s curiosity.

That moment reminds me so much of our preschoolers. Each day, they are beginning to discover what fascinates them, whether it’s building towers, studying bugs, mixing colors, or pretending to be a chef. Our job, much like Jane’s mother’s, is to make space for that wonder. In a Reggio-inspired classroom, we view children as capable, curious learners whose ideas matter. We observe, listen, and design opportunities that nurture their natural drive to explore.

When we give children time to investigate their questions, no matter how small, they begin to understand that their thinking has value. And who knows? Maybe one of our little scientists, artists, or builders will someday make a difference in the world, too.