How to Spark Kindness and Curiosity in Kids Towards Others

Why Curiosity About Others Matters

As parents, we spend so much energy helping our children succeed academically, manage homework, or navigate their emotions—but helping them develop curiosity about other people is just as essential to their growth. When a child is genuinely interested in others, they tend to build stronger friendships, navigate social conflicts more thoughtfully, and grow into empathetic, open-minded individuals.

But let’s be honest. When your child is already struggling with math, reading assignments, or just getting in the car without tears, adding one more “lesson” to the mix can feel impossible. That’s why encouraging social curiosity doesn’t have to be a formal practice. Rather, it’s about noticing the opportunities that already exist in your child’s world—and gently directing their gaze outward.

It Starts With Feeling Safe and Seen

Trying to teach curiosity toward others without first helping your child feel secure can backfire. Children need a strong foundation of love and connection at home before they can look outward. If they’re anxious, overwhelmed at school, or battling low self-esteem, other people may seem like a threat rather than an opportunity for learning or friendship.

One small but meaningful place to begin is simply taking time to talk with your child about their daily interactions—without judgment or rushed advice. If they mention a classmate who seemed sad or angry, resist the urge to explain or correct. Instead, try asking, “I wonder what was going on for them today?” This kind of gentle modeling shows your child that people’s behavior is worth understanding, not just reacting to.

Not sure where to begin? Connecting more deeply with your child is a powerful starting point. This article on parent-child bonding moments offers ideas to strengthen your connection before encouraging them to open up to others.

Model Curiosity in Your Own Life

Your child watches you more than you think. They notice how you speak about neighbors, friends, or even strangers at the supermarket. When you model open curiosity—asking questions, wondering aloud about someone’s perspective, or appreciating different experiences—your child learns that other people are worth knowing.

Say you’re watching a movie together, and a character makes a confusing choice. Pause and reflect aloud: “I wonder why she did that. Maybe something happened earlier that we didn’t see.” These tiny comments shape how children process the world around them. You’re giving them a script they’ll reuse later in their own friendships and classroom dynamics.

It’s also helpful to remember that curiosity is not just a trait—it’s a skill. And like any skill, it improves with practice, patience, and exposure to examples.

Stories That Invite Empathy

One of the most powerful—and often overlooked—ways to expand your child’s empathy and curiosity is through stories. Whether fiction or true-life narratives, stories help children imagine life through someone else’s eyes. This emotional perspective-taking is what helps them wonder, "Why did my friend act that way today?" instead of jumping straight to frustration or blame.

If your child has a hard time with reading or focusing, audiobooks can be a relaxing alternative. The LISN Kids App offers original audio stories for children ages 3–12 that highlight a variety of characters, emotions, and social challenges. Many of these stories provide a safe, engaging way for your child to explore relationships and develop empathy in a format they’ll enjoy—especially after a long school day. The app is available on iOS and Android.

For more on how stories specifically help children manage and understand social emotions, you might enjoy this read: Can Stories Help Children Understand and Manage Social Emotions?

Navigating Friendship Challenges With Curiosity

Few things throw off school-aged kids like friendship conflicts. A best friend becomes distant. Someone won’t share. Feelings are hurt, often unintentionally. It's hard to watch, especially when your child doesn't yet know how to work through it.

Teaching your child to pause and wonder—rather than assume—can dramatically shift how they respond in these tough moments. Encouraging questions like, “What else could be going on?” or “What might they have been feeling?” helps them move from knee-jerk defensiveness to a more flexible, curious mindset.

For a gentler introduction to handling these situations, this resource may help: Supporting Your Child Through First Friendship Conflicts. And when you're ready to help them take proactive steps in social settings, this guide offers ideas for encouraging social play and connection: Games and Stories to Help Kids Build Friendships.

Curiosity Takes Practice—And Patience

There’s no switch you can flip to make a child suddenly care more deeply about others. Their age, temperament, and experiences all play a role in how socially curious they are—and aren’t. But the more we trust the process, the more likely they are to grow into the kind of person who sees the value in each individual they meet.

Start smaller than you think you need to. Point out one act of kindness you noticed today. Wonder aloud about someone on the playground. Choose stories that invite thoughtful conversation. Share moments when you, too, were confused by another person’s actions and chose curiosity over judgment. These seeds grow slowly—but they grow well when nurtured with love, consistency, and reflection.