Wonder comes easily to children. They love to ask questions and understand the way things work. Those of you with toddlers in the “why?” phase know this to be especially true. They’ll ask why they can’t have a third cup of hot cocoa, why they can’t climb up the bookshelf, and why their stuffed dog can’t bark. To some, it may be a relief when this constant questioning fades. But those of you with teenagers know it inevitably does, and you might long, not for a moment of quiet, but for your child to ask a question once in a while. So although wonder may come naturally to humans -- especially at first -- it must be cultivated over the course of a lifetime. 

From an academic standpoint, wonder is inexplicably valuable. Students who possess wonder have a thirst for knowledge that will carry them beyond their secondary education. 

At my school, we say that “At its root, to wonder means to admire, to behold in awe, and to be humbled by what one does not know. It is the quality, disposition, and habit of being amazed by and open to all that life has to offer.” 

Because classical education aims to develop a student’s character just as much as their mind, classical schools naturally seek to inspire and encourage wonder in their students. As parents, you can support this development in your own home. 

Here’s how:

1. Hang meaningful pictures in your home.

If you haven’t had a chance to read my post about classroom decor - go check it out! The same principles apply here. What we surround ourselves with matters. What we consume impacts us more than we know. 

Why do you think every lifestyle blogger and fitness company suggests that you create a vision board with your goals? Because the things we view on a daily basis stick with us. 

Consider adding to your home decor with a picture of someone you admire from history or an event that changed the world’s course. Even more simple than that - fill your home with things that have changed your life. Some of my favorites from my friends’ houses include this picture from Shakespeare’s Othello, this print of Rosa Parks, or this scene of Winston Churchill working on one of his paintings. 

I look forward to the day that my children ask me what those pictures mean. We’ll stand before them, and I’ll get to explain how jealousy led to Othello’s downfall, the astounding courage that one woman displayed just by taking a seat on a bus, and how one of the greatest statesmen in history spent his leisure time honing an artistic craft.

Shops like Etsy and Art.com have some great, affordable options.

2. Whenever possible, opt for lovely books.

What’s true for wine is also true for books. Well, maybe that theory doesn’t hold up all the time, but in this case, it does! The wine with the most creative label tends to catch our attention more than the wines that blend in with everything else. Bonus points if it has a witty name. 

The books on your shelves play the same role for children. Books with lovely, interesting covers and illustrations will do a lot to pique your child’s interest.

Now, this doesn’t mean you have to spend huge amounts of money to buy the most expensive version of every book out there. It just means you might have to search a little longer. In my experience, most books, regardless of their cover, are within just a few dollars of each other. 

In my house, we have a few copies of books that were worth the splurge. I’ve been a Harry Potter fan since I was about nine years old. I carried them with me most places and ended up going through a fair amount of duct tape to keep the bindings together. So, as an adult, when it came time to replace my weathered, well-loved copies, I went for something that I knew my kids would love someday. Amazon has these great copies that make great Christmas or birthday gifts. You can buy them individually or in sets. Similarly, one of the best baby-shower gifts I got was this copy of The Wind in the Willows.

Even as adults, we like a book that feels good in our hands. I search for a book with a binding that is just flexible enough to keep open with one hand easily but stiff enough to endure being carried around in a diaper bag. My husband likes pages with a good weight that can handle a coffee drip or two without ruining a chapter’s worth of pages. We all have preferences - children included. 

Beautiful books help bring stories to life. They stand on shelves inviting children to flip through their pages and run their (hopefully clean) fingers over the words and images. 

If you need some help getting started. Check out my Recommended Reading Guide: Starter’s Edition or head to your local Barnes and Noble.

3. Ask challenging questions.

Sometimes the best way to encourage wonder in your home is to demonstrate it yourself. Yes, children are naturally curious. But sometimes, they need help moving beyond the first layer of questions. 

4. Encourage family cooking and gardening.

This one may seem a little strange but bear with me. This tip isn’t about developing a skill or helping with family chores. It’s not about contributing to the household or filling free time with something productive. 

This is about bringing meaning to an everyday task. Which is what wonder is all about. When we find beauty and pleasure in what otherwise might be tedious, we exhibit wonder. 

This one might be tough if you have small children because it’s far more convenient and efficient to do it yourself. Or, if your children are older, the evening and weekends are likely full of sports practices, after-school meetings, and driving lessons. When you can, though, I encourage you to set convenience aside for an evening.

For cooking, try planning some easy meals ahead of time that have a quick cleanup. Or, on the weekend, opt for some cookie baking instead of screen time. Then watch with joy as their eyes light up with pride at what they’ve created. 

For gardening, try planning some time over spring break and during the summer months. Take your kids to your local nursery and let them pick out what they want to grow. Show them the ropes and reach for humor over frustration when things start to get messy.