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. To make your life easier, download the planning sheet at https://resources.edslessons.com/integrating-inquiry-planning-sheet Get a detailed breakdown of how to start integrating inquiry into your existing lessons here Follow Jessica Vance at https://www.instagram.com/jess_vanceedu/ website: www.edslessons.com Subscr ..read more

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 are not using a whole repertoire of strategies. To listen to the episode on the website go to edslessons.com/bloomingcurious Links mentioned in the episode: https://explicitinstruction.org/download/sample-chapter.pdf an excerpt by Anita L Archer and Charles ..read more

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 your own curiosity and takes you through the step-by-step process for nurturing that natural curiosity in children and reawakening it in ourselves. Download your free e-Guide How to Nurture Natural Cu ..read more

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. Read the blog post and the transcript of this episode at  https://edslessons.com/best-strategies-for-engaging-children-and-keeping-them-curious/ Links to the eGuide are also in https://edslessons.com/best-strategies-for-engaging-children-an ..read more

Curiosity and Inquiry series: 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 what we can do to keep nurturing our own curiosity. For all the details and transcript go to https://edslessons.com/how-educators-ca…ir-own-curiosity/ Research mentioned ..read more

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 journey of discovery as she introduces us to the four types of gardens we can include in our outdoor spaces as well as the five phases of successfully teaching outdoors. If you are considering your outdoor teaching area, or even your backyard, to create ..read more

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 offer 9 strategies to nurture curiosity so that that spark that we are all born with is not extinguished.  For all the links in this episode go to https://edslessons.com/curiosity-is-declining-in-the ..read more

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 delve into 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 about its benefits. Find all the links and the transcript of the episode at https://edslessons.com/the-importance-o…-and-development ..read more

In today's episode we explore how educators can encourage children to observe the world around them. Observation is the key that sparks curiosity! 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 a good example of what a curious person looks like. For all the details including links mentioned in the episode go to https://edslessons.com/how-to-develop-keen-observational-skills-in-kids ..read more

Observation provides teachers and educators with powerful data and insights to inform their teaching, and make decisions about what's best for their learners.  In this episode I explore different types of observations and provide some strategies to assist classroom and home educators to collect observations easily. For all the details, links and downloads go to https://edslessons.com/the-power-of-observation-a-guide-for-teachers/  Are you enjoying listening to Blooming Curious? If so, please consider subscribing and sharing, and leaving a review, this is the only way this show ..read more