🧠 Curiosity Is the Skill Employers Want—Are We Teaching It at Home?

Curiosity is one of the top 10 future-ready skills, according to the World Economic Forum (WEF source). Right up there with AI fluency and analytical thinking.

So when your kid asks, “Why does the moon change shape?”—do you explain it, Google it, or help them think it through?

🌱 This is Future-Ready Parents—where we turn parenting worries into small, practical wins that build confident, tech-savvy kids (and calm, capable parents).

📌 WHAT TO EXPECT TODAY

TL;DR: Build your child’s thinking skills with a 3-question curiosity tool you can use anywhere—homework, car rides, walks.

Includes a downloadable cheat sheet (ages 8+, adaptable younger).

🧭 WHY THIS MATTERS

It’s easy to assume being a curious type of person is a personality trait. Some kids just ask more questions, right?

But research shows curiosity is teachable. UC Davis studies found that curiosity activates brain areas linked to memory and motivation—like getting a reward.

That’s a big deal. Because curious kids aren’t just absorbing facts. They’re learning how to explore, question, and figure things out on their own.

And that’s the real shift: You don’t need to have all the answers. You just need a way to help your kid ask better questions.

That’s what today’s tool gives you. Three clear prompts that build independent thinking—without adding more to your plate.

🛠️ THE TOOL: The 3-Question Curiosity Framework

Let’s say your 11-year-old asks, “Are bats really blind?”

You could Google it.
Or you could use this:

The 3 Questions:

1. “What do you notice?”
Ask this first. It helps them slow down and describe what they’re seeing or hearing.
Example: “What stands out to you about how bats move?”

2. “What does that make you wonder?”
This prompts their curiosity. It opens the door to questions they actually care about.
Example: “What questions pop into your head right now?”

3. “How could we find out more?”
This builds problem-solving and ownership. They don’t need the full answer—just a next step.
Example: “Want to look something up together or ask someone who might know?”

Use this anytime:

• Homework frustration

• Questions during a show

• A random comment in the car

• Even while unpacking groceries ("Why is that label shaped like that?")

Why this helps parents:
It gives you something to reach for when you’re not sure what to say—and helps your kid become someone who thinks for themselves.

BEFORE YOU GO…

I keep reminding our readers in most newsletter editions, we don’t need to explain everything.

It’s more important that we explore WITH our kids.

Of course, we need a better to explore. Hopefully, the three questions I shared above are a good starting point. It’ll help build a curiosity, capable thinker who will soon handle whatever the future throws at them!

Until next time,
James Brauer
Founder, Future-Ready Parents