Overview

The 3 Important Curiosity Styles—Exploratory, Epistemic, and Social—drawn from Todd Kashdan’s research, reveal the magic behind children’s muddy puddle dives, endless “why” questions, and chatter with friends. Exploratory curiosity drives hands-on discovery, Epistemic sparks quests for answers, and Social thrives on understanding others’ thoughts and feelings—each blooming through play. This handout is a cheat sheet for parents and educators to turn everyday moments into learning adventures.

Kids flow between the three curiosity styles like water, as Kashdan’s work shows, splashing in puddles one moment, probing “why’s it wet?” the next, then chatting about it with friends. This fluidity is why child-led play trumps adult-planned lessons; letting them steer keeps their shifting curiosity alive, not boxed in. The handout helps you spot these waves and nurture them naturally.

Ditch the lesson plans and watch the kids lead play and explore. As they splash, question, and connect, you’ll spot the learning Kashdan’s research promises, unfolding naturally without a script. Play’s their stage; your role is to see and support their efforts to learn about the world.

Download The 3 Important Curiosity Styles Handout

Here’s the handout PDF to download, share, or print as you see fit:

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