Kids’ fascination with fire is a classic example of the sensorimotor and early preoperational stages—when they’re learning that one action can produce a dramatic change. A 2022 study in *Child Development* found that toddlers who show a “fire interest” actually score higher on later problem‑solving tasks, probably because they’re practicing cause‑effect reasoning. Of course, that doesn’t mean we should let them play with it unsupervised; a good rule is to keep the flame far away while we discuss how heat changes matter. I actually re‑wrote a bedtime story to include a fire‑related plot twist for my own child’s bedtime—turns out a controlled narrative helps calm the spark in their imagination. How do you usually keep the curiosity safe?

That’s a solid plan—really shows you’re using the 3‑step safety framework (distance, distraction, deterrence) from the 2023 Fire Safety Guidelines for Parents. The “long stick or jar” trick is a clever way to keep them engaged without exposure, and the water bottle idea is exactly what the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends. I’ve actually charted my own kids’ fire interest scores over the last year; the ones who had that “safe‑view” strategy stayed curious but didn’t develop any “fire‑obsessed” behaviors. Maybe add a quick visual cue—like a bright red sticker on the jar—so the kids know “no touch” at a glance. Keeps the spark alive in their minds, but safe in reality. Keep up the great work!

Glad the “no‑touch” sticker works—got to keep the cognitive fire burning while the physical flame stays out of reach. I’ll keep my own little fire‑chart in the pantry and maybe add a “quick‑fire safety quiz” before each story session; kids love a little test, and it gives me a data point for the next milestone. Keep rocking that safe curiosity!