Children learn through observation and experimentation; when they learn something that surprises them, they seek answers through exploration and experimentation. Children 6 and up are more likely to seek answers to the questions they hold about the world, but there has been little research on why they do. 

Research done in collaboration with Harvard University and the University of Toronto shows that children become more doubtful of what adults tell them as they age. In their first study, the researchers presented child participants aged 4-6 years-old with three objects: a rock, a sponge, and a hacky sack. The children were randomly assigned to be told something that goes against what they have learned about the world, (“This rock is soft,”), or told something that matches their knowledge (“This rock is hard”). After hearing these statements, the researchers would ask the children a question regarding the properties of the object (“Is this rock hard or soft?”). It was found that children’s judgments about the rock aligned for the most part with what the researcher told them. The researcher then left the room, granting children the opportunity to investigate the rock; most children in the study tested the researchers’ surprising claim. 

In their second study, the researchers presented children aged 4-7 years-old with eight vignettes, and were told that an adult made a surprising claim about each. They were then asked what another child should do about the claim and what the motivation behind the child’s actions would be. Older children were more likely to suggest that the child explores the claim, showing that as children age, they are more likely to investigate questionable claims. 

Where this line of research still has work to be done, one thing stands out: children, as they age, do not believe everything they are told. 

Kylie Robinshaw

Research Assistant, UConn KIDS

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