WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.119 And welcome to another episode of blooming curious. 00:00:03.540 --> 00:00:07.170 As we head towards the end of the year, I thought we would analyze the top 00:00:07.200 --> 00:00:13.270 five or six episodes of the past year since I started the podcast on the 28th 00:00:13.270 --> 00:00:17.790 of November and looking back at the most popular and downloaded episodes, 00:00:17.880 --> 00:00:19.890 it was quite an eye-opener for me. 00:00:20.520 --> 00:00:26.759 Not so much in terms of the most popular, but more so in terms of the least listened 00:00:26.790 --> 00:00:29.460 to episodes that have been recorded. 00:00:30.210 --> 00:00:34.800 Listeners didn't show much interest in episode 17 Why Curiosity is 00:00:34.800 --> 00:00:36.240 Declining in our Classrooms. 00:00:36.690 --> 00:00:40.320 Nor in episode six, The 10 Tips to Get Kids Off Screens. 00:00:40.680 --> 00:00:44.730 Nor episode four How to Minimize Technology in Children's Lives. 00:00:45.129 --> 00:00:48.780 Nor episode 46, How to Better Engage our Students. 00:00:49.500 --> 00:00:52.900 And looking at these stats actually made me quite despondent because 00:00:52.920 --> 00:00:57.450 it appears that the very thing that I see happening in classrooms, the 00:00:57.450 --> 00:01:01.800 things that are most detrimental to children's learning and development. 00:01:02.160 --> 00:01:04.200 No one else appears to be bothered by. 00:01:04.770 --> 00:01:06.210 So that begs the question. 00:01:06.840 --> 00:01:08.280 What am I doing this for? 00:01:08.980 --> 00:01:13.270 Do I even continue along this path highlighting the dire straits that 00:01:13.270 --> 00:01:17.590 our children are in or do I just pretend it doesn't matter and focus on 00:01:17.620 --> 00:01:19.810 the things that people want more of. 00:01:20.410 --> 00:01:24.130 And so instead of getting my knickers in a knot and having sleepless nights 00:01:24.130 --> 00:01:28.240 about the mental wellbeing of other people's children, I'm just going 00:01:28.240 --> 00:01:30.520 to focus on what you actually want. 00:01:30.860 --> 00:01:36.050 So without further ado, let me tell you about the most popular episodes 00:01:36.290 --> 00:01:40.640 that have been on blooming, curious since it started in November last year. 00:01:41.480 --> 00:01:45.740 Episode one was my very first episode when I introduced blooming curious. 00:01:46.160 --> 00:01:50.030 And why I felt that curiosity is so important for children. 00:01:50.410 --> 00:01:55.190 I highlighted that before we can even begin teaching kids to read and 00:01:55.190 --> 00:02:00.170 write, we need to cultivate a burning desire in them to want to know more. 00:02:00.530 --> 00:02:01.550 And to be curious. 00:02:01.820 --> 00:02:05.930 And of course I created an easy guide for you, on how to develop 00:02:05.990 --> 00:02:07.760 natural curiosity in children. 00:02:08.200 --> 00:02:11.840 I'll leave a link for you in the show notes, as well as a link to the great 00:02:11.840 --> 00:02:17.150 blog post that talks all about how we as adults and educators can help to 00:02:17.150 --> 00:02:22.370 nurture and keep kids curious since we're all born with that natural innate 00:02:22.370 --> 00:02:26.180 curiosity, but it wanes over time. 00:02:27.100 --> 00:02:30.609 Episode 36 was the next most popular episode. 00:02:30.910 --> 00:02:33.609 The Most Effective Strategies for Student Learning. 00:02:34.100 --> 00:02:39.560 These are 10 instructional practices that reliably increase student learning. 00:02:39.920 --> 00:02:44.030 And they emerged from the studies and findings across Australian and 00:02:44.030 --> 00:02:49.429 international schools and the work of John Hattie and Robert Marzano who took these 00:02:49.429 --> 00:02:53.600 findings and ranked them by their level of effectiveness in student learning, 00:02:53.630 --> 00:02:55.519 otherwise known as their effect size. 00:02:56.090 --> 00:03:01.160 And I unpacked those top strategies in episode 36, and highlighted 00:03:01.190 --> 00:03:05.780 how the driver of all these strategies is actually you and me. 00:03:06.350 --> 00:03:08.359 We teachers make the difference. 00:03:08.780 --> 00:03:13.670 And to be really effective, it all starts with the right mindset, having 00:03:13.670 --> 00:03:15.950 an inquiry and a growth mindset, 00:03:15.950 --> 00:03:17.900 and trying new strategies 00:03:18.140 --> 00:03:23.180 when we see our students be disengaged and not being afraid to fail and 00:03:23.180 --> 00:03:25.970 allowing our students to see us fail. 00:03:26.480 --> 00:03:28.910 So that they become better at taking risks. 00:03:29.359 --> 00:03:34.460 In this episode, I linked my Eguide Inquiry 1 0 1, which takes you 00:03:34.460 --> 00:03:38.540 through the step-by-step process of integrating curiosity inspired 00:03:38.540 --> 00:03:40.880 lessons into your existing lessons. 00:03:41.230 --> 00:03:42.890 I'll leave a link for you in the show notes. 00:03:43.520 --> 00:03:47.570 The next most popular episode was number 26, which was an interview 00:03:47.570 --> 00:03:49.770 with the amazing Jessica Vance. 00:03:50.239 --> 00:03:54.290 Jessica is the author of Leading With a Lens of Inquiry, which is a 00:03:54.290 --> 00:03:56.570 publication aimed at school leaders. 00:03:57.020 --> 00:04:00.410 But in this episode, we talked about learning walls. 00:04:00.989 --> 00:04:05.459 And Jess talked about how the walls in our classrooms, actually the third teacher 00:04:05.849 --> 00:04:10.829 and that it would be a missed opportunity if we did not leverage our walls as 00:04:10.829 --> 00:04:12.869 an opportunity to be able to support 00:04:13.169 --> 00:04:17.009 and co-construct the learning alongside our learners. 00:04:17.509 --> 00:04:20.759 Jess walked us through the process of starting a learning wall 00:04:20.759 --> 00:04:24.719 and how a learning wall becomes an interactive space where our 00:04:24.719 --> 00:04:28.830 learners can connect with a learning journey across the curriculum. 00:04:29.460 --> 00:04:32.849 She also spoke about learning walls, helping children to make 00:04:32.879 --> 00:04:35.249 connections between subject areas. 00:04:35.520 --> 00:04:40.140 Because so often children have difficulty making those connections between say 00:04:40.200 --> 00:04:42.569 English and science or maths and science. 00:04:43.169 --> 00:04:48.179 So the learning wall is a visual tool that helps children make those connections. 00:04:48.659 --> 00:04:52.289 Jess also encouraged us not to do teaching alone. 00:04:52.679 --> 00:04:54.809 That we need to be vulnerable 00:04:54.869 --> 00:04:56.999 if we want to grow as educators. 00:04:57.359 --> 00:05:01.859 To be open to feedback, and she suggested, we all have a critical 00:05:01.859 --> 00:05:05.879 friend, someone that can help us see the blind spots and our biases. 00:05:06.330 --> 00:05:08.129 Teaching can be very lonely. 00:05:08.580 --> 00:05:11.099 Especially when you're perhaps doing things that no one 00:05:11.099 --> 00:05:12.749 else is doing in your school. 00:05:13.200 --> 00:05:15.780 So we all need to have a sense of belonging. 00:05:16.169 --> 00:05:20.129 So I would recommend you sign up to get curious my weekly newsletter, 00:05:20.369 --> 00:05:24.059 where I share strategies and tips, and generally give you a pep talk 00:05:24.390 --> 00:05:27.469 and inspire you as an educator. 00:05:27.680 --> 00:05:32.510 So join a group of like-minded people and sign up to get curious, I'll leave 00:05:32.510 --> 00:05:33.800 a link for you in the show notes. 00:05:34.550 --> 00:05:39.620 Now setting up an outdoor environment for children was the topic of episode 12. 00:05:40.550 --> 00:05:44.090 And here I spoke about providing children with opportunities 00:05:44.090 --> 00:05:46.430 to play and to learn outdoors. 00:05:46.880 --> 00:05:52.310 And that it is a real opportunity for teachers and schools to provide, 00:05:52.430 --> 00:05:56.359 play and learning experiences for children that they might not 00:05:56.359 --> 00:05:57.919 be getting in their own homes. 00:05:58.849 --> 00:06:02.060 In this episode, I talked educators through the process 00:06:02.060 --> 00:06:03.950 of setting up an outdoor space. 00:06:04.340 --> 00:06:05.659 Where children can play. 00:06:06.109 --> 00:06:09.080 Where they can have opportunities to move and be physical. 00:06:09.349 --> 00:06:13.520 And also opportunities where they can be creative or even quiet. 00:06:14.180 --> 00:06:18.440 I also offered you some advice and examples of how we can set up an outdoor 00:06:18.440 --> 00:06:20.150 learning environment on a budget. 00:06:20.599 --> 00:06:23.479 And how to connect the learning experiences outdoors. 00:06:23.750 --> 00:06:24.650 To our curriculum. 00:06:25.219 --> 00:06:29.930 I also provided links to websites where you can learn more about planning, 00:06:29.930 --> 00:06:34.219 an outdoor learning experience as well as to my lesson plan for the 00:06:34.219 --> 00:06:38.000 picture book, The Curious Garden written by Peter Brown, which is a 00:06:38.000 --> 00:06:40.849 perfect picture book and a lesson plan 00:06:41.090 --> 00:06:45.919 if you intend to plant a garden in your outdoor space and really why wouldn't you. 00:06:46.700 --> 00:06:48.950 Episode 24 was another big hit. 00:06:49.250 --> 00:06:52.729 And it was my interview with a queen of outdoor learning. 00:06:52.940 --> 00:06:54.050 Dr. Claire Warden. 00:06:54.090 --> 00:06:57.800 Claire is a font of knowledge when it comes to planning, learning 00:06:57.800 --> 00:07:00.769 experiences for children to connect them with the natural world. 00:07:01.110 --> 00:07:04.289 She talked about risk and how we navigate that. 00:07:04.530 --> 00:07:06.150 She talked about curiosity. 00:07:06.449 --> 00:07:10.799 And how children have become emotionally fearful and unable 00:07:10.829 --> 00:07:12.419 to engage in problem solving. 00:07:12.959 --> 00:07:17.699 She spoke about how children are increasingly finding curiosity difficult, 00:07:17.939 --> 00:07:19.530 because they're worried about failure. 00:07:20.120 --> 00:07:25.049 Claire spoke about her findings and our research on how the unpredictability 00:07:25.049 --> 00:07:29.909 of nature and the outdoors is such a powerful catalyst for curiosity. 00:07:30.390 --> 00:07:34.439 And she also gave us lots of actionable and practical advice on how we as 00:07:34.439 --> 00:07:39.059 educators can plan learning experiences using the outdoors and loose parts. 00:07:39.480 --> 00:07:43.709 As well as how we can plan and document learning using flow books. 00:07:44.359 --> 00:07:47.220 Claire Warden really is such an inspiration. 00:07:47.549 --> 00:07:51.929 If you work with young children or you're raising young children in 00:07:51.929 --> 00:07:53.970 this episode, you really must not 00:07:53.970 --> 00:07:54.329 miss. 00:07:54.670 --> 00:07:56.980 Claire was such an inspiration for me. 00:07:57.070 --> 00:08:01.810 And the reason that I changed the way that I taught and hand on heart, it's 00:08:01.810 --> 00:08:06.400 made such a difference to children's learning to their creativity and their 00:08:06.400 --> 00:08:08.770 curiosity and their overall wellbeing. 00:08:09.070 --> 00:08:13.360 So when you have finished listening to this episode, then do yourself a favor 00:08:13.360 --> 00:08:17.530 and go to the show notes and click on the links to listen to these popular episodes. 00:08:18.390 --> 00:08:23.160 My very first interview was with my friend Ash Sharp. 00:08:23.220 --> 00:08:24.840 And this was episode 13. 00:08:25.800 --> 00:08:31.560 Ash is an early childhood educator who started a loose parts play business 00:08:31.590 --> 00:08:33.390 in Geraldton, Western Australia. 00:08:33.990 --> 00:08:39.810 We spoke about the powerful benefits of play and particularly loose parts play. 00:08:40.290 --> 00:08:43.590 Where children can be creative, where they can take risks and where they 00:08:43.590 --> 00:08:46.110 can learn in their most natural way. 00:08:46.560 --> 00:08:51.660 And Ash shared her story of why she left the classroom to pursue her passion 00:08:52.080 --> 00:08:54.600 of encouraging children to play more. 00:08:54.900 --> 00:08:56.280 Hence the name of her business. 00:08:56.730 --> 00:09:01.320 We spoke of the limitations and the frustrations that we as educators often 00:09:01.350 --> 00:09:03.090 experience in schools and classrooms. 00:09:03.540 --> 00:09:07.830 And how, ultimately, as educators, we sometimes have a difficult decision to 00:09:07.830 --> 00:09:12.720 make, when our jobs don't align with our values and what we know about what is 00:09:12.720 --> 00:09:15.780 best for children and the way they learn. 00:09:16.500 --> 00:09:20.820 And lastly, episode 25, my interview with playground designer, Marcus 00:09:20.820 --> 00:09:25.800 Veerman who is also the designer and founder of that little nifty toy you 00:09:25.800 --> 00:09:29.700 might be seeing on social media called the Nudel Kart and the Nudel Pod. 00:09:30.120 --> 00:09:34.500 We spoke about how Marcus' playgrounds have brought joy to millions 00:09:34.500 --> 00:09:35.910 of children around the world. 00:09:36.630 --> 00:09:41.520 And how his new inventions, the Nudel Kart and Nudel Pod are replacing all 00:09:41.520 --> 00:09:45.840 those annoying plastic toys that just end up in landfill, with something that 00:09:45.840 --> 00:09:51.330 is not only sustainable and beautiful, but also creative and allows children 00:09:51.330 --> 00:09:54.270 to build their critical thinking and their problem solving skills. 00:09:55.219 --> 00:10:00.439 Marcus really is a super passionate person, but when it comes to play 00:10:00.469 --> 00:10:02.329 and how children learn through play. 00:10:02.750 --> 00:10:07.370 And honestly, if you or your school are thinking about purchasing loose 00:10:07.370 --> 00:10:11.449 parts or resources in the new year, or you're considering redoing your 00:10:11.449 --> 00:10:15.650 playground or your outdoor space, I would urge you to listen to this episode 00:10:15.650 --> 00:10:17.660 before you go off and spend money. 00:10:18.290 --> 00:10:21.230 So that's a wrap for the most popular episodes so far 00:10:21.320 --> 00:10:22.130 on Blooming Curious. 00:10:22.130 --> 00:10:25.430 And before I sign off, I want to let you know that I will 00:10:25.430 --> 00:10:27.110 be taking a break in December. 00:10:27.469 --> 00:10:31.610 So no new episodes will be appearing then, so I urge you to click on that 00:10:31.610 --> 00:10:36.230 follow or subscribe button, so you get notified when a new episode is published. 00:10:36.560 --> 00:10:42.980 And also, make sure you sign up to Get Curious, my inspirational monthly 00:10:42.980 --> 00:10:48.949 newsletter, with practical, actionable steps that you can take, not only to 00:10:48.949 --> 00:10:52.939 get the best out of your students, but it's also a little bit of a pep talk 00:10:52.969 --> 00:10:54.770 to help you stay on top of your game. 00:10:55.250 --> 00:10:57.920 So check out the show notes for all the links, including 00:10:57.920 --> 00:10:59.599 our to sign up for Get Curious. 00:11:00.079 --> 00:11:01.400 Thanks for listening today. 00:11:01.459 --> 00:11:05.300 And remember, curiosity is not just a trait, it's a superpower. 00:11:05.599 --> 00:11:08.630 So until next time, stay blooming curious.