What is a good way to encourage curiosity without sounding judgemental? 

Parenting Perspective 

Children are naturally curious about the differences they observe in people, homes, and customs. If this curiosity is not guided, it can manifest as blunt comments that sound rude or judgemental, even when no offence is intended. The key is to teach them how to channel their curiosity into respectful questions, showing them that it is good to wonder but essential to express it with kindness. 

Teach Respectful Questioning 

Show your child how to rephrase a direct observation into a gentle and polite question. For example, instead of blurting out, ‘Why does she look like that?’, they can be taught to ask you privately at a later time, ‘Could you tell me why Auntie wears her scarf in that particular way?’ This approach teaches them that while their curiosity is natural, the timing and tone of their questions are very important. 

Model Wonder Without Judgement 

When you encounter something unfamiliar, you can model a positive and open-minded response. By saying something like, ‘That is very interesting; I would like to learn more about that tradition,’ you show your child how curiosity can be expressed as a form of appreciation rather than criticism. Children are quick to absorb and imitate this respectful phrasing. 

Reinforce Positive Attempts 

If your child makes an effort to ask a question respectfully, offer them praise and encouragement. You could say, ‘I really liked how you wanted to learn more about that without making anyone feel uncomfortable. That was very thoughtful.’ This kind of reinforcement builds their confidence and encourages them to continue being considerate learners. 

Spiritual Insight 

Islam greatly encourages the pursuit of knowledge and understanding, but it places a firm condition that this pursuit must always be undertaken with humility and respect. 

The Virtue of Seeking Knowledge 

The Quran praises the act of seeking knowledge and clarifies that those who do so with sincere belief are raised in status by Allah. 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Mujadilah (58), Verse 11: 

‘…(And in return) Allah (Almighty) shall elevate those who are believers amongst you, and those people who are given the knowledge (of existential reality) in various stages…’ 

The Cure for Ignorance 

The prophetic tradition values curiosity as a vital tool for overcoming ignorance, provided it is guided by a sincere desire to understand. 

It is recorded in Sunan Abu Dawood, Hadith 336, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘The cure for ignorance is to ask questions.’ 

By teaching your child to ask with kindness and listen with humility, you are shaping them into thoughtful and considerate individuals. They will come to understand that true curiosity is not about judging others, but about appreciating the wisdom of Allah in creating such diversity among people.