AN ACTIVE CHILD

Our child has been very creative and curious since he learned to walk. He always investigates things. Is this a bad thing? If so, how do we deal with it?

—Abiodun S., Nigeria

Dear Abiodun,

Some children just like to explore. It’s inborn. Parents must watch them carefully, or they’ll get into all kinds of mischief. They may use chairs to climb on counters to see what’s in the cupboards. Parents told of their little boy who’d thrown a shelfful of dishes on the floor before they could stop him.

Some kids will climb up dresser drawers simply because they can, so anchor dressers to the wall. And did your parents warn you not to run with scissors?

If you were an active child, you probably did curious and creative things too. It’s perfectly natural for a healthy child.