A toddler named Cassie explores a farm animal toy with a large cow button that makes a Moo sound. Which teacher response best supports Cassie’s emerging inquiry skills?

• A. move another toy into her reach and encourage exploration
• B. wait until she tires of the cow button and wonder aloud what might happen if she presses a different button
• C. show her a picture book and ask her to point to the Moo picture
• D. interrupt her play with a prompt to switch to a different activity

Answer: (B)

Encouraging curiosity through responsive, language-rich prompts that invite prediction and experimentation. When Cassie is focused on pressing the cow button, the best approach is to let her explore a bit and then softly introduce a question that extends her thinking: what might happen if she tries a different button? This keeps her play self-directed while adding a gentle challenge that invites her to test ideas, compare outcomes, and use new words as she predicts and explores. It models scientific thinking—hypothesize, test, and observe—while supporting her growing inquiry skills and language development.

Other approaches pull attention away from the current exploration or interrupt the flow of play. Introducing another toy too soon can distract her from investigating cause and effect with the button. A picture book emphasizes labeling rather than extending hands-on inquiry. Prompting to switch activities breaks the momentum of her investigation.