Ala iconAlaSep 27, 2026 ~1 min source read

Why Moments of Boredom Can Become Powerful Learning Opportunities in Children’s Libraries

When kids feel bored, they often wander into areas of the library they wouldn't typically enter. Making Room for "I Don't Know" Uncertainty is often the starting place of curiosity.

Why Moments of Boredom Can Become Powerful Learning Opportunities in Children’s Libraries

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When kids feel bored, they often wander into areas of the library they wouldn't typically enter.

Making Room for "I Don't Know" Uncertainty is often the starting place of curiosity.

Research into the psychology and neuroscience of curiosity has defined it as a close connection to seeking and learning.

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When kids feel bored, they often wander into areas of the library they wouldn't typically enter. Making Room for "I Don't Know" Uncertainty is often the starting place of curiosity. Research into the psychology and neuroscience of curiosity has defined it as a close connection to seeking and learning.

How it works

  • Elizabeth Bonawitz, Associate Professor at Harvard University's Graduate School of Education and a researcher on curiosity and learning, refers to curiosity as an internal drive to close a knowledge gap.
  • Rather than providing answers immediately to fill gaps in their knowledge, we can allow kids more space to consider possible...

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