CAPTURING CURIOSITY IN THE EARLY YEARS

By Katy Freeman, British School Foundation Teacher

One of the key themes of our Early Years curricula here at SFS (IEYC and PYP) is Capturing Curiosity, which focuses on nurturing children's natural curiosity to explore and understand the world around them. This approach emphasizes inquiry-based learning, where children are encouraged to ask questions, investigate, and solve problems through hands-on activities and experiences.

By capturing children’s curiosity, we foster child-led learning, and give them the agency to share their past experiences and current interests. This allows teachers to identify prior learning and understand what the children want to explore further. We can then build upon these interests, guiding planning, provisions, and practices that connect with children’s new learning experiences. For us, Capturing Curiosity means…

STIMULATING EXPLORATION

Children are immersed in an engaging environment where they are encouraged to explore their surroundings, use their senses, and interact with different materials. This naturally stimulates their desire to learn through discovery.

BUILDING INQUIRY-BASED LEARNING

Teachers pose open-ended questions and present scenarios that invite children to think critically and arrive at their own answers, strengthening their problem-solving skills while fostering creativity and independent thinking.

ENCOURAGING PLAY

Play is essential for learning, and within the theme of Capturing Curiosity, both structured and unstructured play are incorporated into the curriculum. This helps children learn through experimentation, exploration, and imagination.

CONNECTING LEARNING TO REAL LIFE

Children are introduced to real-world situations where they can apply their curiosity, helping them make meaningful connections between their experiences and the wider world. This approach fosters a love for lifelong learning.

HOLISTIC DEVELOPMENT

Capturing Curiosity supports children’s holistic development, addressing their emotional, social, physical, and cognitive needs. Activities are designed to encourage curiosity across all areas of learning and development.

This approach allows children to have a voice in guiding their own learning and inquiry, shaping the planning, provision, and teaching practices in a way that is responsive to their individual interests and needs. Capturing Curiosity is at the heart of everything we do, making children active participants in their learning process and creating meaningful, inquiry-based experiences relevant to their development.

In essence, Capturing Curiosity empowers children to explore the world with confidence, giving them ownership of their learning journey while fostering curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking.