What Are Curiosity and Confidence?

Curiosity is a child’s natural desire to learn, explore, and ask questions.

Confidence is their belief in their ability to try, even if something is unfamiliar or tricky. Together, they help children:

• Show interest in the world around them
• Ask questions and experiment
• Try new activities independently
• Learn from mistakes without giving up
• Share ideas and take part in group tasks

These qualities grow through experience and encouragement, especially when children are given opportunities to make choices, solve problems, and lead their own learning through play.

Why It Matters for School Readiness

When children are curious and confident, they’re more likely to:

• Join in classroom discussions
• Try new games, toys, or activities
• Form friendships and take part in group tasks
• Keep going when something feels challenging
• Be open to learning in all areas

School introduces children to many new experiences, and having the self-assurance to get involved and the curiosity to explore gives them a valuable head start, both academically and socially.

Everyday Ways to Build Confidence and Curiosity

1. Praise Effort Over Outcome

Celebrate how your child approaches a task, not just whether they get it ‘right’. Say things like, “You worked really hard on that!” or “I love how you didn’t give up!”

Toy Tip: Sets from the MAGNA-TILES range such as MAGNA-TILES® microMAGS™ 70-Piece Set , MAGNA-TILES® Clear Colors 32-Piece Set, and City Center 110-Piece Set, are great for promoting trial-and-error learning, helping children build perseverance and confidence through hands-on exploration. As children play with toys like this, they can follow their curiosity and see where it leads. There’s no right or wrong way to play, which helps them to feel confident taking creative risks and get a real sense of pride from creating something “all by myself”.

2. Encourage Questions and Wonder

Turn everyday moments into discovery opportunities. Explore your local park, investigate the contents of the kitchen cupboard, or ask questions like, “What do you think will happen if we mix these?”. Organised classes like Mini Professors, where hands-on experiments spark curiosity, a love of science, and help build important skills like problem-solving, are really helpful in preparation for starting school.

Toy Tip: Toys that turn everyday play into exciting “Aha!” moments are great for encouraging children to ask questions and be curious. Consider toys like the Wooden Microscope and Learning Resources’ fun and interactive Code & Go® Robot Mouse Activity Set to inspire children to investigate and satisfy their natural curiosity.

3. Offer Safe Risks and Low-Pressure Choices

Let your child choose between two options, such as what to wear or which activity to do. Let them take age-appropriate risks like climbing, pouring their own drinks, or using tools during play.

Real-life experiences like swimming classes, such as those provided by Water Babies also offer gentle and fun challenges in a safe, structured setting, helping children grow in confidence and body awareness.

4. Share Stories That Inspire Bravery and Adventure

Choose books where characters try something new, make mistakes, or face challenges. Use stories to talk about feelings like nervousness and pride.

Toy Tip: Puppets, dolls, or action figures, such as Little Rebels, and stories like Pilot Ollie and Pilot Polly’s Amazing Adventures expose children to brave and adventurous characters. Meanwhile, books like Big Steps feature characters embarking on new experiences and learning new life skills.

5. Make the Unfamiliar Familiar Through Play

If your child is worried about starting school or doing something new, act it out using toys. Roleplay can ease anxieties by letting them practice and prepare in a safe space.

Toy Tip: Playsets that mirror real-life experiences are great for helping children rehearse and become familiar with new routines. The Pretend and Play® Original School Set is perfect for preschoolers preparing to start school, helping to ease first-day nerves and making little learners feel confident, prepared, and excited for their classroom adventures.

6. Let Them Lead

Give your child opportunities to direct a game, make up a story, or plan a simple activity. Being ‘in charge’ builds self-belief and shows that their ideas matter.

Toy Tip: Toys that encourage storytelling, such as Rory’s Story Cubes and small world figures, allow children to lead and create their own play scenarios.

7. Celebrate Mistakes as Learning

Let your child see that getting things wrong is part of how we learn. Model resilience with phrases like, “Oops! That didn’t work. Let’s try again.”

Toy Tip: Cooperative games or toys where things don’t always go as planned, like balancing games such as Jenga give children safe ways to practice persistence.

• Ask lots of questions or explore new things
• Attempt new activities, even if unsure
• Come up with ideas during play
• Try again after making a mistake
• Take the lead in small tasks or stories

If your child is particularly anxious or reluctant to try new things, offer extra support and reassurance. Small steps and consistent encouragement help build bravery over time.