Children Quote by Carl Sagan
““Every now and then, I’m lucky enough to teach a kindergarten or first-grade class. Many of these children are natural-born scientists - although heavy on the wonder side and light on scepticism. They’re curious, intellectually vigorous. Provocative and insightful questions bubble out of them. They exhibit enormous enthusiasm. I’m asked follow-up questions. They’ve never heard of the notion of a ‘dumb question’. But when I talk to high school seniors, I find something different. They memorize ‘facts’. By and large, though, the joy of discovery, the life behind those facts, has gone out of them. They’ve lost much of the wonder, and gained very little scepticism. They’re worried about asking ‘dumb’ questions; they’re willing to accept inadequate answers; they don’t pose follow-up questions; the room is awash with sidelong glances to judge, second-by-second, the approval of their peers.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Joy of Discovery, 1995
Children naturally ask bold questions, while older students often fear appearing ignorant, losing curiosity.
In simple terms: Kids ask many questions; teens stop asking.
Key Takeaway
Encourage questioning at all ages.
Themes
education
curiosity
learning
confidence
Mood
hopeful
concerned
Type
educational
reflective
When to use this quote
- classroom teaching
- parental guidance
- school curriculum
- peer pressure
Key Concepts
critical thinking
wonder
Questions to Reflect On
- How can educators foster safe questioning?
- What habits preserve wonder into adulthood?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on correct answers can suppress inquiry.
![“[ When a religious couple wrote to Sagan about fulfilled prophecies, he wrote back in May 1996 :] If ‘fulfilled prophecy’ is your criterion, why do you not believe in materialistic science, which has an unparalleled record of fulfilled prophecy? Consider, for example, eclipses.” quote by Carl Sagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/875/carl-sagan-160_belief_when-a-religious-couple-wrote-to-sagan-a_25095.jpg)
