Inquiry Projects: Catching and Sustaining Ideas with Children

Inquiry-based learning is an experiential approach where children explore real-world problems, ideas, and questions driven by their curiosity. Educators are attuned and listen to children's theories and wonderings, creating contexts and environments that foster investigation and exploration of their ideas.

Balancing intentional planning with responsiveness creates space for sustained inquiry, deeper thinking, and shared curriculum decision making, with children positioned as active co-researchers in learning.

In this session, you will:

• Explore the cycles of inquiry and how they support deeper, slower and sustained learning
• Strengthen your role as a co-researcher, working alongside children in responsive and meaningful ways
• Move beyond activity-based planning towards a more inquiry-led approach to curriculum
• Reflect on how to design learning experiences that are responsive, intentional, and grounded in children’s thinking