Children Curiosity During COVID-19 Outbreak

Nematollahi, F.¹, Khademi Ashkzari, M.¹ & Khatoonabadi, A. R.^2*

¹Department of Educational Psychology, Alzahra University of Tehran, Iran
²Department of Speech Therapy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran

Dr. Ahmad Reza Khatoonabadi, Department of Speech Therapy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran.

Keywords: Children Curiosity; COVID-19; Educational System

Abstract

Curiosity as the driver of intellectual development plays a crucial role in children’s learning and education. Previous research has shown that curiosity is just as important as intelligence and is one of the most critical factors in students’ academic performance. Curiosity is a powerful motivation not only for learning but also for creativity and mental well-being. In the current situation in which COVID-19 is the greatest challenge facing education systems to date, how education can foster curiosity is still a fundamental question in progressive societies [1-5].
Inciting and fostering curiosity in primary education leads to the advancement of science, the growth of knowledge, and the preparing of children for entrepreneurship. Therefore, researchers support the educational importance of developing children’s curiosity [6-8]. In educational systems, children’s curiosity is shown by wonderment, asking questions and explanation- seeking behaviour or testing hypotheses to gain knowledge [2,9-12]. The situational determinant of curiosity that persuades children to explore and wonder is one of the vital facets of curiosity. Facing nature and its changes, facts, challenges and information gaps, are the most important situational determinants for children’s curiosity [3,11,12].

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