Curiosity
Skill-building
Approaching situations with curiosity creates an open space for another person to share their experience. Making assumptions shrinks that space and confines them to our expectations of what their experience is.
Embraces Curiosity
Makes Assumptions
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“How do you think you might approach this?”
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“What are your options? How do you feel about each one?”
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“What is most important to you in this situation?”
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“What do you think is the right thing to do?”
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“You’re not handling this correctly.”
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“How have you been feeling lately?”
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“What has been the hardest part for you?”
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“How can I best support you right now?”
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“What do you wish others understood about what you’re going through?”
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“I was young once, I know what you’re going through.”
How to Voice Concern
In this clip from Speaking Grief, Megan Devine, psychotherapist and author of It's OK That You're Not OK, shares how to voice concern for someone using curiosity rather than judgment.
Sharing What You Know
Kids and teens tend to think adults have everything figured out. Demonstrating curiosity in your own life can be a powerful tool that can help normalize asking questions and approaching situations with an open mind.