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whyzz parent Constanze Niedermaier |
Interviews
Constanze Niedermaier, CEO and founder of whyzz Publications LLC
whyzz : How do you address your child’s questions? What resources do you use, if any, to help address your child’s questions?
CN: So far, my own knowledge has usually been enough to answer my daughter's questions, as she’s only three years old. If it weren’t, I would probably try to find the information on Wikipedia or in a printed encyclopedia. But the time needed to understand the answer myself and then “translate” it for her would take so long that I feel like she would have already lost interest.
Now, of course, I use whyzz – not only to answer her questions but also if I’d like to know a quick and easy-to-understand answer on a certain topic myself. There are so many things about the world that we sometimes still don’t understand, even as adults!
I think it is very important to encourage and respond to my child’s questions, not only to give her a profound understanding of how the world works and set a standard for learning, but also to raise a curious, inquisitive, and open-minded individual.
whyzz: What is the most challenging thing about kids’ questions? What areas are most difficult for you to answer?
CN: One challenge is to find the right tone and the appropriate information for the age-group. The other challenge, even bigger, is not to loose my mind if the constant “why… why… why” doesn’t stop!
I believe the most difficult questions to answer will be the ones that demand a neutral point of view, that don’t give her any bias.
whyzz: In addition to being a parent, do you work outside of the home? If so, what is your career?
CN: I founded whyzz to help parents answer their children’s questions.
whyzz: Does your career or any specialties you may have affect the way in which you answer questions?
CN: Working on whyzz has made me even more aware of the importance of responding to children’s questions. – I’m now more aware that responding can sometimes mean giving more than just a factual answer. For example, it sometimes might mean brainstorming about possible answers to encourage her to seek knowledge from her surroundings and experiences. Or other times it might mean giving examples or activities to make facts understandable. I’ve also learned that young children are often not looking for factual information; sometimes they are actually looking for some kind of deeper sense behind things.
whyzz: Do you have any funny stories regarding your child’s questions?
CN: The answers she sometimes makes up on her own are probably funnier than the questions she asks. For example, she once explained that we have a head because otherwise the eyes, nose and ears wouldn’t have a place to sit.
whyzz: How do you foster your child’s curiosity and imagination?
CN: I try to give her a variety of inspiring experiences like going to museums, taking walks in the forest or at the beach, reading books, and conversing with her about all of the wondrous things that keep her mind busy!
I also try to encourage her to ask questions and inquire about her surroundings by not turning down her endless “why” questions. (At least, most of the time.)
whyzz: What are the most important things to give a child while growing up?
CN: The security that she will always be unconditionally loved; a lot of patience with everything she does; stability and reassurance that there are things to rely on even if the world outside is confusing and ever-changing; the knowledge and education to develop confidence and make her own decisions to be a self-confident little person.