Cultivating Curiosity: Why reading non-fiction with kids matters

By Zarah C. Gagatiga

Curiosity is at the heart of how young children learn to read. It’s what drives them to ask questions, explore ideas, and dive into books. When children are curious, they want to know more—and books become a natural way to find answers. You can see this curiosity in action when a child points excitedly at pictures, asks questions mid-story, or begs to hear a favourite book again and again. These moments aren’t just sweet—they’re the building blocks of literacy. Each question, each repeated read, helps develop vocabulary, thinking skills, and confidence. Encouraging curiosity means letting children ask their “why” and “how” questions, and giving them the tools to explore the answers. Books—especially non-fiction ones—are perfect for this. They help kids connect what they read to the real world and turn reading into a fun, meaningful experience.

Why Non-Fiction is a Game-Changer

Non-fiction books open up the world for young readers. They teach kids about animals, space, how things work, and so much more. And because they’re based on facts, they give children real answers to their real questions. These books often include illustrations, photos, diagrams, labels and simple explanations, which help children understand complex concepts. They also build the kind of language and knowledge that support later learning in science, geography, history, art and much more. When kids read non-fiction, they’re not just learning facts—they’re learning how to think, ask questions, and discover things on their own. That’s powerful stuff.

Getting Kids Hooked on Reading Instead of Screens

Whether we like it or now, kids today are growing up surrounded by screens. And while tablets and apps can be great learning tools, they also compete directly with books for children’s’ attention. Many young reades now spend much more time on digital content than with physical books, and this can, and does, negatively impact on their attention span, their interest in reading and their ability to learn in a more focused way.  That’s why it’s more important than ever to make books exciting and part of daily life. Transmit your own love for reading. Fill your classroom with books. Set up cosy spaces for reading and build routines that make storytime something to look forward to. Let children handle books, turn pages, and explore pictures. These hands-on experiences are key for building deep, lasting connections with stories and information. Fostering such early experiences forms the cornerstone of literacy, helping children see reading not just as a skill but as a gateway to imagination, discovery, and lifelong learning. 

Bringing Non-Fiction to Life in the Classroom or in the Home

You don’t need fancy materials to make non-fiction fun. Here are some simple strategies that work:

  • Before reading: Take a “picture walk” through the book. Talk about what the children see and guess what the book might be about.
  • During reading: Ask and respond to questions, explain new words, and talk about key ideas.
  • After reading: Let kids draw what they learned, act it out, or try a hands-on activity based on the book, including simple experiments.

Adding real-world elements—like objects, photos, or simple experiments—makes non-fiction come alive and helps ideas stick. The goal is to show that reading about facts and things can be just as exciting as reading stories. The Teachers’ Guide for The Egg offers lots of  tips on how to get the most of this captivating non-fiction book. It’s a great place to start.

Spotlight on The Egg: Linking Literacy and Science

The Egg is a fantastic example of how a non-fiction book can support science learning. It touches on core curricular topics in Science such as identifying and naming animals, animal life cycles, animal reproduction.  You can take it further by bringing in real eggs, showing videos of chicks hatching, or doing simple experiments. This kind of hands-on learning approach helps children understand and remember what they read. Visual supports like word charts or labelled diagrams are great for all learners—and especially helpful for multilingual students. Kids can also work in pairs or in small groups to talk about what they’ve learned, helping build both language and confidence. You can even link The Egg to other subjects:

  • Geography: Where do these animals live?
  • Maths: Can we measure or sort eggs by size?
  • Art: Can you draw what different eggs look like up close?
  • History and Natural History: What kinds of egg-laying animals lived long ago?

Books like The Egg show how non-fiction can be a springboard for creativity, thinking, and discovery.

Supporting Multilingual Learners

In classrooms where there is more than one language, it’s important to make sure everyone can take part. Some helpful strategies include:

  • Teaching key words before reading
  • Using gestures or pointing to the illustrations as you read
  • Modelling language and sentence patterns relevant to the text
  • Providing dual-language glossaries or labels

Partner activities, like reading with a buddy or talking in small group, give children chances to practice language in a meaningful way. Linking new ideas to their own cultures or experiences also helps young multilingual learners feel included and excited to learn.

The Heart of the Matter

Non-fiction books help young children start to make sense of the world around them. They build background knowledge, inspire questions, and encourage independent thinking. When we give children the tools to explore non-fiction with curiosity and confidence, we’re not just teaching them to read—we’re helping them become lifelong learners. Books like The Egg show us how non-fiction can spark questions, encourage hands-on learning, and connect reading with the world around us. By choosing texts thoughtfully and creating inclusive learning spaces, teachers (and parents) can turn kids’ natural curiosity into a powerful tool for developing early literacy skills.

Free Downloadable Worksheet 

Here is a three-page worksheet for the The Egg with activities for children can do  Before, During and After they read they book.

About Zarah Gagatiga

Zarah C. Gagatiga is a teacher-librarian, author, storyteller, and literacy advocate from the Philippines. She co-authored Tales From the 7,000 Isles (Bloomsbury), winner of the 2015 Storytelling Resource Award (USA), and wrote Big Sister and The Day Max Flew Away, both recognized by national award bodies. Zarah serves on the Philippine Board on Books for Young People and is active in PASLI. Named 2023 Outstanding School Librarian by Biñan City, she’s passionate about children’s literature, community service, and creative expression. She blogs at lovealibrarian.blogspot.com and shares her work on Instagram @zarahgee and @the.readingarmy.