WEBVTT 00:00:03.530 --> 00:00:07.190 Hello and welcome to Blooming Curious, the podcast 00:00:07.190 --> 00:00:09.910 that's all about nurturing that natural curiosity 00:00:09.910 --> 00:00:13.070 in our earliest kids and students. I'm Edwina, 00:00:13.449 --> 00:00:16.210 your host from the Ed's Lessons blog, a passionate 00:00:16.210 --> 00:00:19.050 advocate for play and inquiry and on a mission 00:00:19.050 --> 00:00:21.949 to keep children curious and questioning. The 00:00:21.949 --> 00:00:24.809 days of talk and chalk are over. We're diving 00:00:24.809 --> 00:00:28.449 into the world of integrated inquiry and nature 00:00:28.449 --> 00:00:30.989 -based learning and exploring those strategies 00:00:30.989 --> 00:00:34.450 that create lifelong learners. So if you're a 00:00:34.450 --> 00:00:37.149 classroom or home school educator, or even a 00:00:37.149 --> 00:00:40.350 curious parent, then this is the place for you. 00:00:41.950 --> 00:00:44.049 Hey, are you providing opportunities for your 00:00:44.049 --> 00:00:46.990 children to explore and learn at home? Did your 00:00:46.990 --> 00:00:49.009 learning environment provide your children with 00:00:49.009 --> 00:00:52.770 opportunities to explore and wonder? A stimulating 00:00:52.770 --> 00:00:55.009 environment is one where children can explore 00:00:55.009 --> 00:00:57.729 on their own, browsing through books, playing 00:00:57.729 --> 00:01:00.530 with blocks, meandering through a garden or park, 00:01:00.929 --> 00:01:03.469 looking under rocks, playing with water, tinkering 00:01:03.469 --> 00:01:05.810 with a range of objects, or even mixing cake 00:01:05.810 --> 00:01:09.730 batter or dough. Children love to touch. browse, 00:01:10.030 --> 00:01:13.370 explore and yes, even mess. So it makes sense 00:01:13.370 --> 00:01:15.829 that environments that children would find stimulating 00:01:15.829 --> 00:01:18.549 would give them plenty of opportunities to do 00:01:18.549 --> 00:01:21.689 just that. So how do we set up an environment 00:01:21.689 --> 00:01:25.319 that promotes inquiry? Our homes certainly don't 00:01:25.319 --> 00:01:28.540 need a playroom full of plastic toys to be stimulating, 00:01:28.939 --> 00:01:32.000 but they do need objects that encourage inquiry, 00:01:32.379 --> 00:01:35.799 curiosity and thinking. Children do not need 00:01:35.799 --> 00:01:38.280 lots of toys. They would be better with objects 00:01:38.280 --> 00:01:40.859 that lend themselves to lots of different opportunities 00:01:40.859 --> 00:01:44.510 for play and exploration. Having beautiful tactile 00:01:44.510 --> 00:01:47.030 objects that lend themselves to open -ended play 00:01:47.030 --> 00:01:50.329 and exploration will be the first step in creating 00:01:50.329 --> 00:01:53.250 a space where children have an opportunity to 00:01:53.250 --> 00:01:56.569 play and explore, and as an added bonus, feel 00:01:56.569 --> 00:02:00.209 connected to nature. Objects from nature are 00:02:00.209 --> 00:02:03.010 multifaceted and versatile. They have different 00:02:03.010 --> 00:02:06.370 smells and textures, and their use is only limited 00:02:06.370 --> 00:02:10.189 by the child's imagination. So these would be 00:02:10.189 --> 00:02:14.189 my top toys and objects to encourage curiosity 00:02:14.189 --> 00:02:17.189 and inquiry. And I know some of them might not 00:02:17.189 --> 00:02:21.969 seem like toys, but toys. should be open -ended. 00:02:22.270 --> 00:02:24.610 Toys should be something that stimulates our 00:02:24.610 --> 00:02:26.370 children's inquiry. How often have you bought 00:02:26.370 --> 00:02:29.590 a toy and the kid plays for it with them? Five 00:02:29.590 --> 00:02:32.030 minutes and then discards it. That's because 00:02:32.030 --> 00:02:35.189 it doesn't give enough opportunity for curiosity 00:02:35.189 --> 00:02:38.930 and exploration. So these would be my top recommendations. 00:02:39.409 --> 00:02:42.949 Natural materials. Bring them in and I know some 00:02:42.949 --> 00:02:44.750 of you are going to freak out and say, but what 00:02:44.750 --> 00:02:47.289 about the mess? Well, it's not about the mess, 00:02:47.430 --> 00:02:50.250 I'd say it's about getting these kids to actually 00:02:50.250 --> 00:02:53.270 learn and be curious and asking questions and 00:02:53.270 --> 00:02:56.169 really stimulating those little minds. So things 00:02:56.169 --> 00:02:59.110 like bark, you know they have so many beautiful 00:02:59.110 --> 00:03:02.789 different tactile textures. Seed pods, here in 00:03:02.789 --> 00:03:06.590 Australia we have such interesting seed pods. 00:03:07.449 --> 00:03:10.949 Leaves, pine cones, small rocks, pebbles, flowers, 00:03:11.210 --> 00:03:13.250 sticks, shells, bits from the beach, the list 00:03:13.250 --> 00:03:16.020 is endless. And then when you take these objects 00:03:16.020 --> 00:03:18.800 that you've got and you display them on a beautiful 00:03:18.800 --> 00:03:21.620 low wooden shelf or on your coffee table in a 00:03:21.620 --> 00:03:24.340 lovely natural woven basket or in a wooden crate 00:03:24.340 --> 00:03:27.879 or bowl, it makes it very inviting and tactile 00:03:27.879 --> 00:03:30.680 experience for children. These objects can be 00:03:30.680 --> 00:03:33.479 used in a multitude of different ways, from creating 00:03:33.479 --> 00:03:37.379 a transient piece of art, which means that little 00:03:37.379 --> 00:03:39.280 piece of work of art that doesn't stay forever 00:03:39.280 --> 00:03:41.900 and you can take it apart and make something 00:03:41.900 --> 00:03:46.680 new. to storytelling, imaginative play, sorting 00:03:46.680 --> 00:03:50.699 and classifying those first fundamental mathematical 00:03:50.699 --> 00:03:54.680 concepts, building, counting, you get the idea. 00:03:55.300 --> 00:03:57.460 Lots of opportunities to do lots of different 00:03:57.460 --> 00:04:01.060 things. Magnifying glasses are another great 00:04:01.060 --> 00:04:03.060 thing to have because with those kids can go 00:04:03.060 --> 00:04:06.080 and explore all those natural items and of course 00:04:06.080 --> 00:04:08.340 the great outdoors when they're playing outside. 00:04:09.479 --> 00:04:12.969 Wooden blocks and shapes. Everything from plain 00:04:12.969 --> 00:04:15.330 wooden blocks like those Jenga blocks, which 00:04:15.330 --> 00:04:18.129 you can use for play, obviously, but just for 00:04:18.129 --> 00:04:20.930 anything that the kids can use to build and explore 00:04:20.930 --> 00:04:23.730 and make shapes with. They love those things. 00:04:23.829 --> 00:04:25.870 And I remember having, you know, just a crate 00:04:25.870 --> 00:04:29.069 of these mismatched different types of wooden 00:04:29.069 --> 00:04:32.509 offcuts. I had them in my classroom and pre -primary 00:04:32.509 --> 00:04:35.709 and kids loved using them for all sorts of things 00:04:35.709 --> 00:04:38.819 and just... adding them into their imaginative 00:04:38.819 --> 00:04:42.319 play and using them for counting and stacking 00:04:42.319 --> 00:04:46.060 and all sorts of things. Lego, what a beautiful 00:04:46.060 --> 00:04:50.079 thing. Lego blocks are just an incredible thing 00:04:50.079 --> 00:04:52.759 that we can use in all sorts of different ways. 00:04:52.959 --> 00:04:55.379 It really helps kids imagination. We can actually 00:04:55.379 --> 00:04:59.040 use them for mathematical concepts, recognizing 00:04:59.040 --> 00:05:04.300 colors, counting. Again sorting and classification 00:05:04.300 --> 00:05:06.899 and then of course figuring out and problem solving 00:05:06.899 --> 00:05:09.560 creative ways to put them together to create 00:05:09.560 --> 00:05:15.250 amazing structures and wonderful creations. And 00:05:15.250 --> 00:05:18.050 then what about containers? Kids love containers 00:05:18.050 --> 00:05:20.850 for scooping sand in the sandpit or water in 00:05:20.850 --> 00:05:24.009 the bath, for exploring volume, who would have 00:05:24.009 --> 00:05:26.310 guessed? So if you've got those old Tupperware 00:05:26.310 --> 00:05:28.509 containers before chucking them out, give them 00:05:28.509 --> 00:05:31.470 to your kids, they'd love them. Muffin pans, 00:05:31.730 --> 00:05:34.250 colanders, wooden bowls, plastic measuring jugs 00:05:34.250 --> 00:05:37.430 from your kitchen, all fun things for kids to 00:05:37.430 --> 00:05:40.290 have and play with in sand pits or even in the 00:05:40.290 --> 00:05:44.449 bath. And then of course we have to have things 00:05:44.449 --> 00:05:47.709 that help kids to express themselves creatively. 00:05:48.329 --> 00:05:51.009 So having paper, I used to buy those rolls of 00:05:51.009 --> 00:05:54.930 paper from Ikea or even just, you know, paper 00:05:54.930 --> 00:05:57.589 after you've printed paper, use double -sided 00:05:57.589 --> 00:06:01.790 paper and instead of throwing away all... bits 00:06:01.790 --> 00:06:04.189 of paper that's only been printed on one side 00:06:04.189 --> 00:06:07.189 use the other side kids love viewing doing that 00:06:07.189 --> 00:06:09.410 and making little books and drawing pictures 00:06:09.410 --> 00:06:12.949 and whatever so have lots of paper around watercolor 00:06:12.949 --> 00:06:15.269 paints you get beautiful child -friendly non 00:06:15.269 --> 00:06:20.269 -toxic ones brushes of all shapes and sizes crayons 00:06:20.269 --> 00:06:23.819 colored pencils chalk of different thicknesses, 00:06:24.000 --> 00:06:26.779 age -appropriate scissors, so important for those 00:06:26.779 --> 00:06:29.000 first creative projects and practicing those 00:06:29.000 --> 00:06:33.439 pre -writing skills to help kids really strengthen 00:06:33.439 --> 00:06:35.439 those little muscles in their fingers and their 00:06:35.439 --> 00:06:37.959 hands. And then, of course, some beautifully 00:06:37.959 --> 00:06:40.939 made toys. I've always favored wooden toys for 00:06:40.939 --> 00:06:43.920 their warm and tactile nature, as well as beautifully 00:06:43.920 --> 00:06:47.399 crafted fabric or fowl toys. My own boys were 00:06:47.399 --> 00:06:49.980 crazy about those plastic animals when they were 00:06:49.980 --> 00:06:52.860 little, as well as knights and castles. And we 00:06:52.860 --> 00:06:55.360 invested in beautiful Schleich brand. I think 00:06:55.360 --> 00:06:57.839 that's how you say it. It's a German brand, which 00:06:57.839 --> 00:06:59.920 have really stood the test of time. And they're 00:06:59.920 --> 00:07:02.040 now in storage waiting to be played with again 00:07:02.040 --> 00:07:05.410 by the next generation someday. So honestly, 00:07:06.029 --> 00:07:10.009 if you think about it, so often we buy some cheaper 00:07:10.009 --> 00:07:12.470 plastic things and kids play with them for five 00:07:12.470 --> 00:07:13.970 minutes and they're broken and they end up in 00:07:13.970 --> 00:07:16.410 the bin and then ultimately in landfill. But 00:07:16.410 --> 00:07:19.750 if you just buy less toys and really buy ones 00:07:19.750 --> 00:07:22.730 that are, you know, high quality ones that can 00:07:22.730 --> 00:07:25.410 be kept and then used again for future generations 00:07:25.410 --> 00:07:27.970 instead of just cheap ones that are going to 00:07:27.970 --> 00:07:30.310 break. And so often kids play with them for five 00:07:30.310 --> 00:07:33.670 minutes and they discard them anyway. So really 00:07:33.670 --> 00:07:37.149 thinking about the kinds of toys and their purpose 00:07:37.149 --> 00:07:41.129 when we're purchasing things for kids. And finally, 00:07:41.550 --> 00:07:45.610 books, lots and lots of books, nonfiction, age 00:07:45.610 --> 00:07:48.230 -appropriate text, magazines, picture books, 00:07:48.829 --> 00:07:51.449 all beautifully displayed and within easy reach. 00:07:51.730 --> 00:07:54.250 Put them in baskets in your lounge room, in their 00:07:54.250 --> 00:07:57.269 bedrooms, everywhere you go so that kids can 00:07:57.269 --> 00:08:01.949 easily turn to books. And this, of course, is 00:08:01.949 --> 00:08:04.389 by no means an exhaustive list, but it's a great 00:08:04.389 --> 00:08:06.930 place for you to start. You can have a look at 00:08:06.930 --> 00:08:09.509 my Pinterest board for more ideas for creating 00:08:09.509 --> 00:08:12.310 spaces to promote inquiry and curiosity. I'll 00:08:12.310 --> 00:08:16.149 link my Pinterest board to the show notes. And 00:08:16.149 --> 00:08:18.889 of course, it doesn't end here. Once you have 00:08:18.889 --> 00:08:21.930 all these natural resources and objects that 00:08:21.930 --> 00:08:25.370 encourage open -ended plan inquiry, then of course 00:08:25.370 --> 00:08:27.470 you need to provide children with the tools and 00:08:27.470 --> 00:08:30.819 the skills for inquiry learning. This sounds 00:08:30.819 --> 00:08:33.700 complicated, but it really isn't. And I bet you're 00:08:33.700 --> 00:08:36.059 already providing your kids with rich inquiry 00:08:36.059 --> 00:08:39.240 experiences without even realizing it. And one 00:08:39.240 --> 00:08:42.279 of the best things we can do for children to 00:08:42.279 --> 00:08:46.929 think and explore is to ask questions. I'll link 00:08:46.929 --> 00:08:51.629 to my e -guide which includes a quick list of 00:08:51.629 --> 00:08:54.029 open -ended questions in the show notes. Just 00:08:54.029 --> 00:08:56.029 to remind yourself of the types of questions 00:08:56.029 --> 00:08:59.509 you can ask no matter how old the child is. Obviously 00:08:59.509 --> 00:09:02.149 for very young toddlers you may need to simplify 00:09:02.149 --> 00:09:04.370 your questioning to suit your child's developmental 00:09:04.370 --> 00:09:09.870 age. And I'll also link in the show notes a blog 00:09:09.870 --> 00:09:14.059 post. about this topic and how you can support 00:09:14.059 --> 00:09:17.580 inquiry learning at home and the next steps to 00:09:17.580 --> 00:09:20.500 growing curious inquisitive children that love 00:09:20.500 --> 00:09:23.259 learning. So that's all for today folks. Thanks 00:09:23.259 --> 00:09:25.919 for listening. I hope you've enjoyed this episode 00:09:25.919 --> 00:09:28.139 and if you did make sure to click that subscribe 00:09:28.139 --> 00:09:30.539 button wherever you're listening and if anything 00:09:30.539 --> 00:09:32.860 I've said today resonates with you or you think 00:09:32.860 --> 00:09:35.980 that my content is awesome then please leave 00:09:35.980 --> 00:09:38.059 a review which will really help me grow the show 00:09:38.059 --> 00:09:40.889 and help me to keep going. Thanks so much and 00:09:40.889 --> 00:09:43.570 be sure to visit me at bloomingcurious .com and 00:09:43.570 --> 00:09:46.110 listen out for the next episode next Tuesday. 00:09:46.669 --> 00:09:49.250 And remember, curiosity isn't just a trait, it's 00:09:49.250 --> 00:09:52.110 a superpower. So until next time, stay blooming 00:09:52.110 --> 00:09:52.610 curious.