The Psychology of Curiosity: How Wonder Drives Lifelong Learning

May 31th, 2025 / By Olivia Maitre

“I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious.” — Albert Einstein

Curiosity is often known as the key to lifelong learning. Experts have found that curious children are generally more successful at school and in life. In this article, we’ll explore how curiosity shapes cognitive and emotional development in children and share practical tips for nurturing curiosity at home through STEAM learning and play.

Two types of curiosity

Children display different types of curiosity that play unique roles in their development:

• Perceptual Curiosity is driven by sensory experiences. Young children are especially drawn to the sights, sounds, textures, and other sensory aspects of objects and activities. This type of curiosity is essential in early childhood, helping children engage with and learn about their environment through their senses.
• Epistemic Curiosity is a deeper, knowledge-seeking drive. Children with epistemic curiosity want to understand how things work and why things are the way they are. They ask lots of "why" questions and seek explanations, showing a thirst for knowledge and understanding beyond just the surface.

Both types are important: perceptual curiosity fuels initial exploration, while epistemic curiosity leads to deeper learning and critical thinking as children grow. But how can we nurture curiosity in today’s world? STEAM, science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics, offers children hands-on experiences and learning through play that transforms questions into discoveries, and makes learning an exciting adventure.

How STEAM toys spark curiosity

‘Music’ Box, Wonder Collection

STEAM toys have a wide range of cognitive benefits. In a nutshell, they are designed to support six core developmental skills: fine motor skills, gross motor skills, general cognitive development, social and emotional development, communication, and last but not least, curiosity. These engaging, hands-on toys stimulate questions, experimentation, and exploration, allowing children to discover and experiment playfully. Creative construction toys or building sets help prompt children to ask, “What if?”, “How does this work?”, which helps fuel a cycle of discovery and learning.

In our Wonder Box collection, designed for kids aged 3-5 years old, our ‘Music’ box encourages young children to explore sounds, experiment with music, and express their creativity by building, decorating, and playing their own unique instruments - perfect for fostering curiosity.

We also have many boxes from our other ranges (designed for older kids) that are ideal to fuel deeper epistemic curiosity, such as our ‘Repeating Crossbow’, which challenges 9-12 year olds to investigate physics, mechanics, and historical innovation through hands-on construction and experimentation.

Toys that inspire curiosity lead to lifelong learning

STEAM toys don’t just provide short-term entertainment - they lay the groundwork for lifelong curiosity, resilience, independent thinking, and a love of learning by making complex concepts approachable and fun. Research in developmental psychology shows that “enriched, hands-on environments, including educational toys, stimulate neural connections, boost critical thinking, and foster creative play. This not only supports academic achievement but also builds the cognitive and emotional foundation for lifelong learning.”

They also prepare children for 21st-century skills, and a future full of innovation. Studies have also found that children who regularly engage with STEAM toys demonstrate higher levels of problem-solving ability and adaptability. These toys encourage kids to experiment, ask questions, and learn from mistakes; skills that are invaluable throughout life. By making learning an enjoyable adventure, STEAM toys help children develop a mindset that embraces challenges and innovation.

Integrate curiosity-driven learning daily

Incorporating creative thinking toys into your child’s daily routine is a wonderful way to nurture curiosity, problem-solving, and a lifelong love of learning. Here are some effective strategies to make the most of these opportunities:

- Play alongside your children

Join your child in play, whether it's building with blocks, solving puzzles, or exploring STEAM kits. By participating, you model curiosity, perseverance, and creative thinking. Let your child take the lead sometimes, and show genuine interest in their ideas and creations.

- Ask open-ended questions

During play, encourage deeper thinking by asking open-ended questions such as:

• "What do you think will happen if we try this?"
• "How could we build this differently?"
• "Why do you think that worked (or didn’t work)?" This approach works well with all creative toys, from art supplies to construction sets and logic games.

- Celebrate effort and discovery

Acknowledge your child’s efforts, creative ideas, and discoveries, no matter how big or small. Praising their process rather than just the result helps build confidence and resilience. For example, “I love how you tried a new way to solve that puzzle!” or “It’s great how you kept experimenting until your tower stood up.”

- Create a supportive learning environment

Designate a space at home where children can freely access a variety of creative toys, such as building blocks, art materials, musical instruments, or science kits. Allow them to experiment, make mistakes, and try new things without fear of making a mess or being wrong.

- Connect play to real-world concepts

Relate what your child is doing with their toys to real-life situations. For instance, if they’re building a bridge with blocks, talk about real bridges in your city or community. If they’re doing a science experiment, discuss how scientists in the real world make discoveries.

- Encourage collaboration

Invite siblings, friends, or even yourself to join in cooperative play. Activities like collaborative art or science projects help children develop teamwork, communication, and social skills.

- Rotate and refresh toys

Keep playtime exciting and stimulating by regularly rotating creative-thinking toys. Introduce new puzzles, art supplies, or construction sets, and store away others for a while. This keeps children engaged and exposes them to a variety of hands-on experiences.

- Reflect and share

At the end of the day, take a moment to talk with your child about what they created or discovered. Ask them to explain their process or what they enjoyed most. This reflection helps reinforce learning and encourages them to keep exploring.

By integrating a wide variety of curiosity-driven, creative-thinking toys and activities into their daily routine, you’re helping your child develop essential skills that will serve them well throughout life, both in and out of the classroom!