The Secret To Raising Lifelong Learners: Encouraging Curiosity And A Love For Learning In Early Years

The secret to lifelong success is simple - lifelong learning. In a constantly evolving world, our children need to evolve, adapt and learn from the world around them continuously. Research has shown that the way kids learn in the first few years of schooling can have long-lasting effects on their future and health (UNICEF, Early Childhood Development).

At CBS, we emphasize the importance of lifelong learning with a curriculum that inspires curiosity. As one of the leading IB schools in Bangalore, our goal is to incorporate this global approach to bring out the best in our students and prepare them for life. The goal is to encourage them to be curious, independent and approach every situation with a growth mindset. Now let’s get into the secret to raising your child to be a lifelong learner!

#1 ENCOURAGE THEIR CURIOSITY

Curiosity is the foundation of lifelong learning. When we let them explore freely and ask endless questions, we help them fall in love with the learning process. It’s not just about finding answers - it’s about engaging with everything around them that catches their interest.

How Do We Do It?

At CBS, we leverage the IB framework to create an inquiry-based learning approach. All of our lessons for the Early Years encourage them to think critically think critically and look at the world around them. We want to instil a sense of wonder in their minds, and the IB framework helps us do just that. For example, our weekly Wonder Wednesday activities with the youngest learners are a great way of creating a learning, inquisitive environment. “What causes thunder?”, “How do bees communicate?”, and “Why do flowers have different colors?” - these are the types of questions we explore with the early years. A simple question about how plants grow could lead to a broader investigation into ecosystems, biology, and environmental sustainability. This approach encourages students to explore topics deeply, fostering their natural curiosity while guiding them toward meaningful learning experiences.

How Can Parents Help?

As parents, you play a crucial role in this process. By answering your child's questions patiently and asking follow-up questions in return, you create an environment of learning at home. This is the biggest secret to encouraging your little ones to be lifelong learners - it shows them that asking questions is the first step to unlocking new worlds.

#2 FOSTER A GROWTH MINDSET

Success in life isn’t about avoiding failure, but about learning from it. Fostering a growth mindset helps children embrace challenges as opportunities to grow. Teaching your child that failure is part of the learning process encourages them to take risks, experiment, and innovate.

How Do We Do It?

Among the IB Schools in Bangalore, our implementation of this international curriculum is tailored to help our students grow holistically. Whether it is through our focus on co-curriculars or the problem-based learning approach, we focus on the entire learning process and journey as opposed to just academics. One of the key characteristics of an IB learner is resilience - and this is just what we aim to build with our innovation-driven curriculum that encourages students to follow their passions and ideas. We want students to see failure as an opportunity to learn more, not a setback.

How Can Parents Help?

At home, create an environment where it’s okay to fail and try again. Celebrate your child’s effort, not just the outcome. If they don’t succeed the first time, encourage them to reflect on what they can improve and try again. By focusing on effort and persistence, you help them build confidence and a problem-solving mindset.

#3 ADVOCATE INDEPENDENCE

When children have control over their learning journey, they develop a sense of responsibility and confidence in their abilities. By advocating independence, you’re helping them trust their instincts, make choices, and understand that their actions shape their learning.

How Do We Do It?

Independence is central to the IB framework, particularly through the idea of student agency. Right from the Early Years, students are encouraged to take ownership, make decisions and standup for their own needs. IB schools in Bangalore, like CBS, are dedicated to nurturing independent learners who understand that lifelong learning depends on their own initiative and action.

From selecting the topics for their show and tell sessions to having the freedom to ask questions, approach their peers and teachers and take the lead on creative activities - our aim is to show little learners that they are in charge of their own learning! By allowing students to do so, we empower them to become confident, self-motivated learners who understand who understand that their educational journey is theirs to shape.

How Can Parents Help?

At home, let your child make small decisions that build independence - whether it's choosing their next book to read, managing their homework, or even deciding how to spend their free time. Encourage them to think about their goals and how to achieve them. This autonomy helps them take ownership of their education and see lifelong learning as something they control.

Conclusion

Most importantly, the biggest secret to raising lifelong learners is a collaboration between the school and parents. We must work together to foster this mindset both at home and in the classroom! Asan IB school in Bangalore, CBS provides students with an enriched curriculum that encourages curiosity, resilience, and independence. By engaging with your child’s learning at home - asking questions, celebrating effort, and encouraging independence - you can reinforce the lessons they learn at school. Together, we can help your child develop the mindset and skills needed to keep learning, growing, and thriving for a lifetime!