The old "always answer a question with a question" tactic. My favourite strategy when raising kids. Still works well with the grandkids

Get them reading and teach them how to research is one of the best ways.

Questions are the essence of genius. Never discourage, too many people do not ask questions and then we get this world.

I guess depending on your point of view to me the questions were always the fun part. The hard part is the good answers.

I homeschooled my kids most of the way using child led learning ( humans naturally want to learn, especially young humans. No question went unanswered and completely explored from all angles to where they learned to explore things and draw their own conclusions) I found it exhilarating , with only one drawback. Aparantly they don't teach much of anything in public school anymore and they wound up with what can only be described as an uncomfortable intellectual edge over their peers ( and many younger teachers)that lead them to have to dumb down to avoid having to constantly explain things.

Wonders,kids never stop amazing us ,all her wonderful questions , I can fully understand why they set you back,wondering why she was asking and where it would leed to ,inquisitive minds ,one really has to let their question sink in before asking ,quick response may have been way off base ,Interesting childhood you went thru for the 2nd time Now how would you have answered that question, "What do you look like " if an adult had asked you , A whole different set of questions would enter into ones mind and wondering why they asked it and may if they were setting you up for something ..

Few parents are as thoughtful as you, sadly.

One of the most beautiful and touching TedTalks I ever saw was given by a woman whose daughter has a severe form of Autism. She is non-verbal. I don't recall the mother's occupation, but she was educated, professional, articulate, and obviously bright at a very high level.

As her daughter aged into her early teen years she was able to use a newly developed adaptive technology that allowed her to communicate. When her intellect was tested, it was extraordinarily high, gifted level. Absent her ability to communicate verbally, no one knew. When she asked her daughter how she learned so much she replied via her device:

"Mom, when you spoke to me I paid attention."

Yeah, I cried.

I can't imagine what it's like to have offspring.