“Between the ages of 2 and 5, children enter a phase often called the ‘why’ phase. This period is marked by a surge in curiosity as their brains rapidly develop,” said Growing Seeds Learning Academy. “Neuroscientists explain that this stage is crucial for cognitive growth. Children are not just being inquisitive for the sake of it — they are actively trying to make sense of the world around them.” 

At this age, our children’s brains are developing quickly, and asking questions helps establish cause-and-effect relationships. It also assists them with understanding societal and cultural norms. 

But as parents, we are sometimes in a quandary to figure out the best way to nurture this curiosity while setting limits on what can be an endless loop of questions. 

“Sometimes the questions are easy to answer. Other times, ‘why’ questions can stump parents,” said Children’s National Hospital. We want to be responsive and encourage [their] inquisitive spirit, and we also want them to feel like we will take their questions seriously and do our best to answer them.” 

Here are some suggestions on handling those questions: 

• Sanford Health suggests asking your child, “What do you think …?” to prompt conversation and allow them to develop their own critical thinking. 

• Try saying, “Tell me more about that,” according to Children’s National Hospital. This prompts a conversation where you can delve more into details rather than just spitting out a “why” answer. 

• Sometimes you just don’t know! “At times, it is OK to say, ‘I don’t know. Let’s see if we can find the answer together,’” said Sanford Health. That can allow you to research things together in books or on the web, increasing a thirst for learning. You can also create your own hands-on activities to help them understand their questions like watering a plant, putting it in the sun and watching it grow. 

Encourage your child’s curious and creative mind. Instead of waiting for “why” questions, take opportunities to discuss things that you both observe in everyday life. This can be as simple as discussing why and how a thunderstorm develops, or how food gets on shelves in grocery stores. This can lead to even more in-depth discussions or follow-up questions later. 

The Growing Seeds Learning Academy also says that “the ‘why’ phase… can lead to deeper discussions about values and ethics, providing parents and caregivers with opportunities to instill important lessons. Engaging with children during this phase not only satisfies their curiosity but also nurtures their ability to articulate thoughts and feelings, ultimately shaping their interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence.”

We love our preschoolers’ inquisitive minds, but sometimes there’s one word that can drive all parents to the brink of insanity — WHY? We may hear that word multiple times a day on a variety of different subjects — it can be to challenge rules or boundaries or simply to inquire about basic facts of life.