– Nisha Daniel 

Peh Yong, a Singapore-based six-year old, invented an umbrella that makes one feel cool in hot weather. It uses the process of evaporation to create and circulate cool air.

Many such child inventors have invented amazing products born of curiosity and desire to create something new.

Encouraging children’s natural curiousity positively can build a lifelong thirst for knowledge, leading to building a spirit of innovation. Here are some ways to make your child’s curiosity constructive:

• Provide resources like encyclopedia, CDs and books that answer common questions. Spend time to read together to get her hooked.
• When your child has a question, encourage her to search and find the answer. Guide her about where to look, and let her find out for herself. This might require breaking a seed open, experimenting in the kitchen, or accessing the internet.
• If your child wants to explore ‘Why not’ questions, ask her to attempt solutions. She may find a brand new one. ‘Why not’ questions have led to many great inventions.
• Get your child to put new ideas down in an Ideas Book to explore and experiment. Encourage her to innovate a new product, object or piece of art every week.

Also read: Encourage, rather than push children to succeed