How to Arouse Curiosity

Curiosity can do wonders in learning. But a few kids were not born curious. Then, how can we arouse curiosity in such students? A wonderful book called  'The Genius of Instinct: Reclaim Mother Nature's Tools for Enhancing Your Health, Happiness, Family, and Work' has some answers.

1. Fun : Everyone becomes curious about what they regard as fun.
2. Novelty : They may also become interested in new stuffs.
3. Collative attributes : This is about collation i.e. collecting, sorting, ordering, arranging things.

According to the author, "collative" techniques are particularly good for invoking  curiosity. In practical terms, it means

1. we show students that there are gaps  in their understanding and world view.
2. we show students that there are discords, contradictions, dissonance  in their understanding and world view.
3.  we dare them to imagine, visualize, mental-simulate some more possible worlds, rather than the one they are used to.