Inquiry Based Learning At EtonHouse

With research building a strong case for an inquiry-based approach to education, many educators are now seeing the significance of a pedagogy that fosters a spirit of inquiry, nurtures critical thinking skills, encourages strong communication skills and develops resilience in problem-solving. For instance, infants turn towards voices to discover sounds, grasp things to discover texture. Adults push boundaries and create new inventions through experiments; improve living by questioning the status quo. Likewise, children are a curious bunch. They love to ask questions. Their ideas and interests mark where a meaningful learning process starts, for both academic content, as well as life skills much needed in the 21st century.

At EtonHouse, they encourage this innate ability of young children to think creatively, to investigate and learn by being fulled engaged in the process. Their teachers act as facilitators, guides and mentors of the children’s learning process and walk beside them in their learning – not ‘telling children’ what and how to think, but supporting children to be independent thinkers and innovators. They focus on the ‘strengths’ that children bring, they ‘see’ children as strong and competent learners who are full of potential. Children engage in learning experiences that respond to their individual strengths thus demonstrating skills and abilities far more complex and sophisticated than what you would normally expect.

Inquiry-Based Learning in the Classroom:

A recent example of this was a line of inquiry that emerged in the kindergarten class at EtonHouse Pak Shek Kok spurred by their interest around their own homes and the way they are built. It extended to their friends’ homes and homes around the world. They talked about materials to build houses and how the materials would differ based on the context and types of homes. While investigating the architecture of houses, the children’s thinking extended to the design and layout of the interior spaces in homes. It encouraged abstract thinking skills amongst children as they engaged in creating spaces inside their 3D home designs. Building their own houses also encouraged spatial orientation and literacy and numeracy skills, while giving children an opportunity to engage with real materials, research using technology and interact with experts in the subject. A fun and meaningful way to learn!