A little girl once looked up at the evening sky and asked her father, “Why does the sky turn orange before night?” The next day she wondered, “Where do people go after they die?” Such questions remind us that children are naturally curious. Their curiosity is a treasure we must protect, because the questions they ask will shape the way they see life.

This raises a difficult question: should kids be taught spirituality early in life? Should they be guided to ask the highest question—“Who am I?”—before they have even explored the world outside? Or is self-inquiry possible only after a child has experienced and understood enough of the external world?

On one hand, teaching spirituality early may give a child balance and grounding. It might protect them from the endless chase of material life and offer them calmness that even adults spend decades searching for. Ancient traditions, especially in India, introduced meditation and reflection to children in gurukuls, alongside learning language and science. The idea was simple: without inner clarity, knowledge of the outer world is incomplete.

On the other hand, overemphasis on the inner world can make a child detached. A child who deeply reflects on the self but cannot solve a math problem or engage socially might struggle in today’s competitive and interconnected world. To survive, kids need to first engage with the world, test their abilities, and build practical knowledge. Without this base, spiritual inquiry risks becoming an escape rather than a strength.

Here lies the paradox: the more we know about the external world, the more powerful our inner inquiry becomes. When we see clearly how external achievements bring only temporary happiness, we begin to recognize what not to chase. We learn what to avoid, and we start to value what is lasting. In that sense, the external world acts as a mirror—it shows us the limits of desire and prepares us to turn inward. It is like a car running out of fuel, forcing us to pause and realize there is nowhere else to go but inward—to examine how we are made and why. But this journey is not easy. If approached incorrectly, it can lead not to wisdom but to emptiness.

This requires integrity. To truly know the external world, we must approach it with the same honesty and seriousness that a seeker brings to the inner world. Both searches—outer and inner—demand patience, discipline, and clarity. One without the other remains incomplete.

History shows that the great sages were not ignorant of the world around them. Many studied astronomy, Ayurveda, music, and philosophy before turning inward. Their wisdom was not divorced from the world—it was built on top of worldly understanding.

Perhaps the balance is this: encourage kids to be curious in all directions. Let them wonder about nature, science, and people—and also slowly introduce them to wonder about themselves. External knowledge is not the final destination. It is a preparation, a training ground, for deeper understanding.

A child who only knows the world may get lost in it. A child who only knows the self may struggle to live in it. But a child who learns both—first the world, and then the self—becomes complete. Your job as a parent is to protect their curiosity.

Some practical tips:

• Ask questions, do not interrupt. Let them complete their answers.
• Do not be reactive; teach them to respond, not react.
• Do not impose right or wrong: encourage critical thinking so they understand what is right for them.
• Keep them connected to the outdoors and nature. Stay away from virtual entertainment and artificial toys. If they want toys, give them water to splash.
• Most importantly: demonstrate, do not spoon-feed. They learn more by seeing than by listening.

And perhaps the greatest lesson: curiosity is not just to be protected, but to be celebrated. The more we nurture it, the more whole they become.