Research on children's curiosity-driven learning
The PhD student and psychologist John Kaneko’s dissertation Curiosity for Learning in Early Childhood Education and Care presents quantitative and qualitative studies regarding curiosity-driven learning in preschool children.
The studies are based on research and theories about curiosity in psychology, cognitive science, and neuroscience. The dissertation also presents a theoretical framework for curiosity-driven learning, where the process is divided into different phases.
The aim is to highlight the psychological processes behind curiosity-driven learning and to contribute to a more detailed view of how it can be supported in practical work in preschools. The framework also puts forward testable ideas about how children's curiosity tendencies can be developed in preschool.
John Kaneko has a background as a student of social studies and philosophy, which later led him to become a psychologist. Since then, he has mostly worked as a school psychologist. He has always been interested in learning and education, with a particular focus on motivation for learning.
Last updated: 2026-10-16
Source: Department of Child and Youth Studies