When it comes to child development, there are so many things to take into consideration, and it can be confusing for a mom. A mom, who doesn’t have any educational training or understanding in child development may just see her child’s certain behaviors and think that they are “annoying” or negative when there are reasons for this behavior. Children’s behavior always has meaning, even if mom and dad cannot understand. That is why it is important to be aware of where a child is developmentally, because it can help parents understand where their child is coming from and how to help them.
Every child reaches a point in their development where they as “why?” a lot. It will be their go-to response to anything and everything that mom and dad says, and it can be a lot for mom. Mom may find herself getting frustrated by the end of the day with all the questions that her child asks her. However, this is an important stage in their development, and it is a stage that mom should foster and not try to hinder.
When Do Children Start Saying Why?
It is important to look at when children usually start asking why all the time and this can prepare a mom for when her child will be coming up on this developmental stage and prepare for it. According to Rise and Shine, children will typically start asking why when they are 2 or 3 years old, and it will last until they are about 4 or 5 years old. It is important to remember that every child develops differently, and some children may continue to ask why far beyond 5 years old, and that could be due to them having a naturally inquisitive personality.
Why Do They Ask Why?
Now let’s look at why children ask why, and we will quickly see just how important it is for their development. According to Baby Sparks, the simple answer is that children at this age are getting more curious about the world around them, and they are eager to know why and how everything works around them. They are asking mom and dad the most because they are seeking out adults that they trust to give them answers. They are also building their vocabulary when they ask why, because they are taking in your answer, and they are just eager to learn more.
Mom Should Encourage
While it can be frustrating for mom after a long day, it is important that she encourages her children to ask these questions, and that she remains patient and thoughtful when answering. According to WOW Parenting, answering a child’s repetitive questions can help them to learn faster, and it can encourage them to remain curious which will help them learn many things throughout their lives. However, there are always going to be questions that mom does not know the answer too, but instead of saying that you don’t know or not answering, encourage your child to think of the answer or spend some time looking it up together. This can help them learn to think critically and question what is going on around them.
Sources: Rise And Shine, Baby Sparks, WOW Parenting