By: Michele Muhammad
As I thought about writing my first children’s book, I knew I was going to have the characters ask questions throughout to both engage the reader/listener and to encourage both to look for answers beyond the book. Reading is just the beginning of the learning journey.
I’ve learned that, in early childhood, the art of asking questions is just as important as receiving answers. When children are encouraged to inquire, they embark on a journey of discovery that nurtures logic, builds associations, and sparks the drive to research. In Miles and Maya: Countdown to Big Dreams, our young heroes demonstrate that the act of questioning transforms learning into an active process rather than a passive receipt of information.
Encouraging question-asking empowers children to critically examine the world around them. Instead of accepting facts at face value, they learn to probe deeper, analyze relationships between ideas, and challenge it based on what they already know. This habit of inquiry lays the groundwork for robust critical thinking skills that will benefit them academically and personally. Research by the American Psychological Association has shown that environments promoting open-ended questioning significantly enhance problem-solving abilities and intellectual resilience.
Moreover, the practice of questioning fuels creativity. When children ask “why” and “what if,” (which they always do naturally) they open doors to new ways of thinking and innovative solutions. This approach shifts education from a simple transfer of knowledge to an interactive exploration where every question is a building block for understanding. Educators have observed that children who habitually ask questions tend to develop stronger logical reasoning and improved analytical skills, which are crucial in today’s complex, fast-changing world.
By fostering a culture where asking is valued over merely answering, we set the stage for lifelong learning. This method encourages young minds to become self-motivated researchers and independent thinkers, ready to tackle future challenges with confidence and creativity. The approach I took in Miles and Maya: Countdown to Big Dreams exemplifies how nurturing curiosity from an early age can transform education and empower the next generation of innovators. When children learn to ask questions, they learn to see the world as a space full of possibilities, where every inquiry is a stepping stone to big dreams. After all, any book’s real power is to get you thinking and reflecting…. do you agree? Let me know.
