FROM THE HEAD OF PREP SCHOOLS Piquing our boys’ curiosity and interest Freddy Koutalas and Noah Timewell performing at the Wyvern Learning Showcase. At the Newington Prep schools, we recognise the importance of curiosity in academic success, engagement with the world around us and the development of interests and passions for the boys in our school. The question is, what makes boys curious at some moments and disinterested at others? Psychologist Daniel Willingham describes the elements Many parents believe that young people today are less willing of a successful ‘episode’ of curiosity thus: to put in the effort to satisfy their curiosity. They may be mildly curious about something but they don’t have the mental discipline •We see a mental challenge that needs to be addressed or a piece to stick to the problem for any length of time. Curiosity seems to of knowledge we don’t have. evaporate. Technology is often blamed for shortening children’s •We seek the pleasure that comes from successfully addressing attention spans and interrupting the loop when curiosity or interest it (humans enjoy solving problems). are piqued. A student might grow curious about an insect he sees We quickly calculate that it will take some effort, but know that in the garden, but when he goes to look it up on Wikipedia, he’ll • if we work at it, we might be successful. soon be distracted by TikTok, or a video game or a text message conversation with friends before he ever gets to satisfy his curiosity. To be curious, we need to be intrigued, want to find an answer and Young people sit through two-hour movies and read voluminous believe success is possible. Willingham suggests that this loop – curiosity plus conscientiousness – has as much impact on school novels like Harry Potter. ‘The problem is not attention span, it achievement as intelligence. is pervasive access to entertainment has made for a very low threshold for boredom. If you’re bored, a quick fix is close at hand,’ The keys to engaging boys are complexity (the student is intrigued says Willingham. and challenged by themes, allusions, and moral implications) A YouTube video is disappointing? There are several other choices at and clarity (the student can master something without confusion your fingertips. Had enough videos? Time to text or visit Facebook. or frustration). 34 | Curiosity | News Autumn 2022| Prep Schools