Fostering curiosity in 4-H youth: a guide for volunteers
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EmailAs a 4-H volunteer, you have the unique opportunity to cultivate curiosity in young people, helping them develop a lifelong love for discovery and knowledge.
Curiosity is a fundamental driver of learning and personal growth. As a 4-H volunteer, you have the unique opportunity to cultivate curiosity in young people, helping them develop a lifelong love for discovery and knowledge. By bringing your own curiosity to the table and engaging with youth about their interests, you create an environment where questions thrive, exploration is encouraged, and learning becomes an exciting journey.
Michigan State University Extension recommends 4-H volunteers utilizes the following key concepts to cultivate curiosity:
- Show genuine interest. One of the most powerful ways to foster curiosity in youth is by showing genuine interest in their thoughts, opinions and aspirations. Facilitating curiosity is about building relationships, listening actively, valuing their perspectives, and encouraging them to think critically about the world around them. Use this time to help youth identify their spark.
- Ask questions. Asking thoughtful questions is one of the best ways to spark curiosity and deepen engagement. The Experiential Learning Model emphasizes the importance of reflection and application — both of which rely on asking meaningful questions. When youth are encouraged to reflect on their experiences, they begin to make connections, form new ideas, and develop a greater understanding of concepts. More importantly, allowing silence, trust and space for thinking lets them know it’s okay not to have immediate answers.
- Allow exploration. Curiosity flourishes when young people feel supported in their exploration. Volunteers can model curiosity, love learning in front of youth, ask open-ended questions, and demonstrate excitement about discovery. When children witness adults engaging with curiosity, they are more likely to adopt the same mindset. To help build this wondering, consider using the Teaching Science When You Don’t Know Diddly-Squat Series of lesson plans.
- Be ok with not knowing. A crucial part of this process is allowing youth the freedom to not know — to be comfortable with uncertainty, unfinished projects and ideas still in development. The more space we give for exploring, the more curiosity makes us want to learn more. Encouraging youth to wonder, investigate and seek answers for themselves fosters resilience and confidence in their ability to learn.
- Create a safe space. As a volunteer, you play a crucial role in fostering curiosity. Your role is to nurture that wonder by providing a supportive environment where questions and exploration are encouraged, and curiosity is celebrated. Avoiding quick answers and instead promoting deeper inquiry helps both youth and adults appreciate differences and develop a lifelong love for learning. By nurturing curiosity within 4-H, volunteers empower young people to embrace discovery and personal growth.
Fostering curiosity in 4-H youth is about more than just encouraging questions — it’s about creating a space where exploration is welcomed, learning is driven by wonder, and every young person feels empowered to seek knowledge. By modeling curiosity, valuing their ideas and providing opportunities for reflection and exploration, 4-H volunteers play a pivotal role in shaping inquisitive, engaged and inspired individuals. So, ask questions, listen actively and embark on the journey of discovery alongside the youth with which you work.
For more information about helpful volunteer training content, check out the MSU Extension Michigan 4-H Volunteer Webinar Series webpage.
