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We%u2019d be willing to bet next week%u2019s pay that you have students who are interested in animals, bugs and trucks. Brainstorm ways to connect children%u2019s interests with broader subjects like science, math, literacy and art. These connections broaden their awareness and solidify their learning. One student might want to learn how much hay a horse can eat; another might want to name the parts of a bug. Yet another might dictate a story about their favorite pet.What if your class notices a spider that has spun a web just outside the front door? At your community meeting, start a conversation with the children by having them describe what they saw. Listen for their ideas and what they are wondering about. Use their thoughts to create experiences for them to explore in depth.Most children will study a subject closely until they master it. Then they%u2019ll move on to a new interest. If you bump into one of those rare children who seems likely to stick on rocks/beetles/pets forever, you might want to try offering several new and exciting areas of interest. It%u2019s up to you to make sure that children%u2019s education is both interesting AND diverse.One teacher noticed that her outdoor rug was covered in thick green moss. She was struck by the beauty of it and wondered how the moss had covered it so completely. Intrigued, she took the rug to her classroom. Her students, too, were curious and they embarked on an investigation which opened doors to new topics. Curiosity is contagious, and it builds brain capacity. Bring in materials that spark YOUR curiosity. By sharing, you may spark a new interest for children.IDEA3CAPTIVATING THE CHILDRENIdeas for in your classroom.21