Learning Through Inquiry in Kindergarten
"Children are the engines behind their own development. They do not wait passively to be urged to engage... nor do they conservatively avoid new experiences. To the contrary, children create much of their own stimulation by observing and actively experimenting as they play and go through their daily lives"
(ETFO, 2010c, p. 34)
(ETFO, 2010c, p. 34)
What is Inquiry and Project-Based Learning?
Children possess a natural curiosity about their surroundings. Inquiry-based learning capitalizes on student curiosity and their desire to investigate the world around them (Ontario Ministry of Education, 2011, p. 10). With inquiry or project-based learning, students carry out an in-depth exploration of a topic based on student interests (ETFO, 2010b, p. 12). These explorations can last from a few days to a few weeks, depending on student engagement. Throughout the project, students learn and develop essential skills, such as questioning, analyzing and hypothesizing (ETFO, 2010b, p. 13).
Inquiry-based learning provides an abundance of benefits for students and educators. Through inquiry, students begin to ask questions that lead to further exploration and investigation (ETFO, 2010b, p. 24). In contrast with "pre-packaged themes", inquiry-based learning allows for more natural, genuine and deep learning to take place (ETFO, 2010, p. 24). Students are able to engage in richer thinking, as they can apply their previous experiences and use their strengths in the context of the new learning (ETFO, 2010, p. 12). Educators can use inquiry-based learning to build on their student's innate desire for exploration (ETFO, 2010b p. 25).
Inquiry-based learning provides an abundance of benefits for students and educators. Through inquiry, students begin to ask questions that lead to further exploration and investigation (ETFO, 2010b, p. 24). In contrast with "pre-packaged themes", inquiry-based learning allows for more natural, genuine and deep learning to take place (ETFO, 2010, p. 24). Students are able to engage in richer thinking, as they can apply their previous experiences and use their strengths in the context of the new learning (ETFO, 2010, p. 12). Educators can use inquiry-based learning to build on their student's innate desire for exploration (ETFO, 2010b p. 25).
About
This site provides early learning educators with resources for developing, implementing, assessing and managing inquiry and project-based learning in a Kindergarten setting. The site was developed as a project for a Kindergarten Additional Qualification course (AQ) through Nipissing University, Fall 2012.