5 Magical Phrases That Will Instantly Pique Your Baby’s Curiosity

Babies are endless sources of curiosity. The observing, the exploring, the questions…wow, the questions. All night and all day, your little love is wondering how the world works. Luckily, it's a joy helping them understand the answers, even when they’re repeatedly asking “What that, Mama?” from the backseat while you are trying to merge onto the highway. (Yup, even then.)

But we think it’s time you turned the tables. When you ask questions of your children, you spark a journey of discovery for your child—and you get to come along for the rollercoaster ride. Baby Einstein encourages the curiosity of young children and you, too, can #IgniteCuriosity in your beloved baby by trying the following conversation starters. These phrases are like waving a magical wand in front of your children, transporting them in to a world of discovery.

1. “Where is your…?” Babies may not be able to string full sentences together, but don’t let that betray their comprehension. Get her thinking about items that aren’t present, and see if she can find them. Where is your bunny? Where are your shoes?

2. “What’s that? What’s this?” He doesn’t need to know the actual answer, although it may just surprise you if he does! Encouraging everything from babble to chatter to made-up (or real!) words, giving things names is an important learning tool for talking.

3. “What else is this [shape]/[color]/[size]?” Drawing connections between different things in your child's life—be it blocks, stuffed animals, or learning letters—can get them to compare and contrast, which are the building blocks of critical thinking.

4. “What does this do?” Whether you’re opening a box of toys, the fridge, or a sandbox, you can get creative, crafty, or even just make a mess for fun. Talking through the possibilities of everyday objects will get your kiddie’s wheels spinning.

5. “Can you sing a song?” Music fosters creativity, and little ones look adorable when they break out their dance moves—what more could you want? Learning? Try incorporating some Baby Einstein musical toys: by encouraging your baby to boogie down, you’ll motivate language development, body awareness and cognitive skills.