Blooming Curious

When it comes to planning lessons in an early childhood classrooms, picture books are the one resource educators cannot do without. Picture books are not only provocations, they ignite curiosity, stimulate creativity and imagination and are a source for teaching not only literacy skills, but an appreciation and a love for books. In this episode we unpack how we educators plan our learning experien...

Teachers desperately need time to decompress and recharge those spent batteries over the holidays. But teaching is the job that's never done! So, what should they be doing over the holidays and how can holidays be put to good use not just to relax but also to prepare for the term or year ahead. In this episode we look at the types of things teachers could do to relax, things like getting outside,...

April Zaijko founder of April's Teaching Tree, helps parents and educators deepen their connection to nature. April divides her time between the classroom and providing in-person professional development and consulting with a focus on integrating nature and art in early childhood. April helps educators and parents find ways to use nature to meet early childhood standards through play-based learnin...

Strategies, tips and advice to help educators integrate and teach with an inquiry mindset with the help of the creators behind Sqwish Resources, Allanah and Meg. These experienced and passionate educators are on a mission to help bring inquiry to all lessons with their resources based on the 5E model. Listen just how easy it is to flip from chalk and talk to inspiring students to think, wonder and...

As inquiry educators we don't jump in with the answers to questions. Instead we facilitate the finding of the answers. In this episode we explore the how and the where to go to help children find the answers to their questions, and in doing so, we're helping to create independent learners with inquiring minds. 🔗 Links: https://www.safesearchkids.com/ https://www.kiddle.co/ https://www.kidzsearch....

As educators we are constantly being watched and copied by the children we teach. Modelling is a powerful strategy that educators use to teach everything from explicit instruction, to being curious and showing grit and determination in the face of struggle. Our attitude towards learning and our enthusiasm for learning are all picked up by children through the power of modelling. Because children l...

Teachers are facilitators of learning, and curators too. To make learning and the learning environment more exciting than an ipad, educators need to curate real life experiences for children that technology cannot hold a candle to. In this episode we unpack the strategies for curating indoor and outdoor spaces and learning experiences that spark curiosity and give children opportunities to explore...

The Importance of Documenting the Learning Journey in Inquiry-Based Education. In this episode Edwina explores the various strategies for recoding and documenting students' learning. Key frameworks such as Kath Murdoch's inquiry cycle and the 5 E model are introduced, emphasizing the need for structured support for students. Edwina shares practical tools for making learning visible, including lear...

In this episode we explore the questions that get children thinking and curious. The questions that parents and educators need to ask to encourage curiosity and thinking, and even those questions that take learning further and deeper. Children ask a lot of questions! They ask questions because they have an innate desire for knowledge. But, sadly as children progress through school and eventually a...

Jessica Vance, inquiry educator, thought leader, consultant and author of Leading with a Lens of Inquiry, talks about the role of leadership in cultivating a culture of inquiry and the strategies and practices that promote curiosity and an inquiry mindset in students, teachers and leaders. 🔗 Links: Connect with Jessica at https://leadingwithinquiry.com/ Connect with Jessica on Instagram at https:...

Marcus Veerman is a playground designer, founder and CEO of a charity called Playground Ideas and designer and founder of the Nudel Kart, Nudel Pod and Nudel Rover, innovative open ended toys based on loose parts. These multilayered innovations allow children's creativity, problem solving, critical thinking and language skills not only to develop, but flourish. In this episode Marcus shares his am...

Dr Claire Warden, Nature Pedagogist, author, education consultant, entrepreneurial leader and founder of Auchlone, a multi award winning nature kindergarten in Scotland, unpacks what nature pedagogy is, and how educators can include it in their settings and teaching practice. We discuss the benefits of risk, and the importance of curiosity and fascination when it comes to sparking a love for learn...

So you're inspired to integrate inquiry-based learning into your existing lessons, but you 're struggling to know how to go about it. This episode will walk you through the process and give you some ideas of how you can integrate inquiry into your planning and everyday lessons. 🔗 Links mentioned: Download the planning sheet HERE Step-by-step Integrated inquiry teaching guide HERE The most effecti...

What is the most effective strategy for student learning? According to the latest Australian news reports, Australian children are performing terribly and the real culprit is the fact that teachers are not teaching using an explicit instruction model. In today's episode I explore very subtly (can you guess what it is?) what the issue might be, and exactly what it is we're trying to achieve if we a...

You cannot expect children to be curious, if you yourself are not curious. In this episode Edwina gives you the tips and strategies you need to nurture your own curiosity so that you are better able to spot opportunities for nurturing it in the children you teach. Curiosity naturally leads to inquiry. Edwina demonstrates how the inquiry process is closely aligned to the strategies for nurturing yo...

In this episode two educators respond to the question, "What is your favourite strategy for engaging children and keeping them curious?" Both Veronica Green and April Zajko who are educational consultants and experienced early childhood educators, respond to this question with passion. Their commitment to children's learning is clear and unwavering. 🔗 Links mentioned: Read https://bloomingcurious...

It's sad but true that curiosity is on the decline, not just among children, but among adults too. If we are to raise and educate children to be the problem solvers and innovators of tomorrow, then we simply must maintain and nurture our own curiosity, in order to be able to nurture it in the children we teach. In this episode I explore some of the reasons for this decline in our curiosity and wha...

In this episode we take learning outdoors and learn from Victoria Hackett creator of Outdoor Classrooms and The Secret Gardens Outdoor Classroom, how we educators and parents can incorporate the curriculum and learning, by creating inspirational outdoor learning environments that bring joy to learning. Victoria takes educators and parents on a journey of discovery as she introduces us to the four...

In early childhood that drive to explore, question, and play is curiosity! Curiosity forms the cornerstone of all learning and discovery. And that initial interest and curiosity, naturally leads to inquiry. It’s a perfectly natural transition. If curiosity is so innate in all of us, why are we losing it? In this episode I explore some of the reasons for the decline in children's curiosity and offe...

Play is a fundamental aspect of childhood that holds profound implications for children's social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development. In today's episode I unpack the impact of play on children's development and explore some of the research that underscores the immense benefits of play in shaping children's lives and question the lack of play in education despite everything we know abou...

Observation is the key that sparks curiosity! In today's episode we explore how parents and educators can encourage children to observe the world around them. We talk about how we go about developing observation skills and the strategies that we can employ to get kids curious. Things like modelling, questioning, how to look for answers and even a bit of soul searching to ensure that we are setting...

Observation provides educators with powerful data and insights to inform their teaching, and make decisions about what's best for learners. In this episode I explore different types of observations and provide some strategies to assist classroom and home educators to collect observations easily. 🔗Links: Read The Power of Observation: A guide for Teachers Observation and Record Keeping Template 🆓...

Ashleigh Sharp is a former early childhood classroom teacher and now the founder of Play More, a business focused on the importance of letting children play freely with loose parts. The loose parts mindset enables children to be trusted, to be creative without adult interference, and lets kids (and adults!) learn as they play. Ash talks about avoiding controlled environments and letting kids’ imag...

The outdoor environment has the potential to be an extraordinary learning space that sparks curiosity and wonder in our children. The outdoor setting offers unique learning opportunities that can't be replicated indoors. In this episode we we unpack the secrets to crafting irresistible outdoor learning spaces and explore the keys to designing outdoor spaces that spark curiosity, foster creativity,...

Explore the art of creating an inspiring indoor learning environment that fosters curiosity and nurtures holistic development in early childhood students. In this episode we explore how we as both classroom and home educators go about preparing our indoor space for deep child centred learning. We explore the benefits of a neutral colour pallet, organisation, setting up different learning zones, ho...