The key underlying concept or foundation required for a lifetime of success is curiosity. Without curiosity, there is no intrigue, and without intrigue, there is no motivation. The only true way to want to learn something is by being curious enough about it to want to learn it.

A clear example of this is if a child is interested in ocean animals, they will learn things without realizing they are learning at all. They are simply engaged and interested enough to want to learn more (usually led by curiosity). Once curious enough, they will… Be interested enough to read everything about marine life (READING). What ocean animals look like and why they are so different (BIOLOGY).Where certain species of animals are from (GEOGRAPHY). What they eat (NUTRITION). All the different kinds of species and their role (NATURE), etc. 

Most children or people have at least 1 interest like this, but they don't usually know how to apply it to the rest of their life or see it through to success. If this is taught at an early age, the see-it-through factor is much more likely, because curiosity and experience are abundant, and the learning is sped up. Another great example of this is the Imagine Stories book, “I Shared My Orange with a Monster”. This book displays several life lessons in a quirky, experiential way where the child sees themselves in acts of kindness and empathy, while also learning how to tackle the monster within. 

Life experiences and lessons don't have to be tough. The lessons can be fun to learn and can become fundamental character traits if taught at an early age. Think of it as training the voice within and building the fire and curiosity in fun, guided lessons.

School and the education system today, unfortunately, kill curiosity by making everything a test. Curiosity has to be taught at home at an early age to combat this. Lessons should be fun, acted-out approaches where a child can entertain their natural curiosity before being adjusted to the "focus on this subject for 40 minutes because I told you so” routine. Whether you are interested in that subject or not. A child should stay free to discover, not just receive information. The best education you can give to your child is the one embedded from the earliest age: a spark of curiosity.

Don't kill the cat. Stay curious.

<3 Mama Bina