Parents field an average of six tricky questions a day from their children, and a quarter of these are simply too difficult to answer, according to new research.
A poll of 1,000 UK mums and dads of children aged three to eight found that five-year-olds are the most curious, asking more questions at this age than at any other point in early childhood.
Common tricky questions
Among the most frequently asked 'hard-to-answer' questions are 'Where do babies come from?', 'Why is the moon following us?', and 'What happens when we die?'. Other common abstract questions include 'Why do we dream?', 'Why can't animals talk?', and 'How does Santa get to every house in one night?'.
While 90% of parents enjoy their children's curiosity, the same percentage admitted to secretly looking up the answer because they were unsure what to say. The research also found that 48% of parents believe their child asks more open-ended and imaginative questions as they get older, but 26% 'often' give an answer they're not sure is correct.
Encouraging curiosity
The study, carried out via OnePoll.com, found that 43% of parents usually stop what they're doing to discuss the topic with their child, while 37% give a brief answer and move on. Almost four in ten (39%) say their child asks a question which catches them off guard several times a week or more.
It also emerged that 72% of parents are worried about their children losing their sense of wonder and curiosity as they grow older, but 95% think it's important to encourage and nurture their children's curious, imaginative way of thinking. Additionally, 57% believe kids today are generally more curious than they were as children.
Anniversary celebration
The research was commissioned by the Mr Men Little Miss series to celebrate the 55th anniversary of Mr Tickle, which began when Roger Hargreaves turned his son's question "What does a tickle look like?" into the iconic character. Illustrator Adam Hargreaves, now the author of the books, said: "My father recognised children's wonderful sense of curiosity and imagination and he explored these to create Mr Men Little Miss."
"While parents may not always have the answers to those impossible questions their children like to test them with, those everyday conversations play an important role in helping children to learn and stay curious."
The book series is hosting a gallery of children's 'big little questions' for the anniversary. A spokesperson for Sanrio, which owns the licensing rights for Mr Men and Little Miss, said: "Children today are full of big ideas and even bigger questions, and that natural curiosity is something worth celebrating."
"When they feel encouraged to ask questions, they're not just learning facts, they're developing confidence, creativity and a deeper understanding of the world around them. This is why we're so excited to launch the Big Little Questions online gallery, to encourage mums and dads to treasure the imaginative things their kids say."
Top 20 questions parents find difficult to answer
- Where do babies come from?
- How does Santa get to every house in one night?
- What happens when we die?
- Why do we have to go to school?
- Why can't I stay up as late as you?
- Why do people get old?
- Why is the moon following us?
- Why do people have to go to work?
- Why do we dream?
- What happens to us before we're born?
- Why can't animals talk?
- Are there aliens in space?
- Why do grown-ups make the rules?
- Why is the sky blue?
- Can animals understand what we're saying?
- Where does the sun go at night?
- Why do some people look different from me?
- Why do bad things happen to good people?
- Do pets have feelings like humans do?
- How do birds know where to fly?
