Learning should not be a passive experience, particularly for young learners who are just beginning to discover what life in the classroom is all about. At One World International School in Singapore, we embrace an inquiry-led approach to early childhood education. By empowering students in preschool and primary school to take control of their learning and explore the world around them, we provide them with the opportunity to build a strong foundation for lifelong learning.
What Is Inquiry-Based Learning?
Inquiry-based learning is an educational approach that prioritises the role of the learner in acquiring and retaining new information, according to Future Focused Learning. By focusing on skill development through guided teaching, inquiry-based learning gives students more autonomy and allows them to personalise their learning experience.
There are four distinct approaches to inquiry-based learning, which include:
- Confirmation Inquiry — This inquiry-led learning approach involves providing students with a question and a related answer, as well as a strategy they can use to reach that answer. They are responsible for relying on their critical thinking skills to understand the connection between the question and the answer.
- Open Inquiry — In this approach, teachers provide an open-ended question and then give the students the freedom to generate conclusions and test possible solutions.
- Structured Inquiry — With this approach, students receive an open-ended question as well as a specific investigation method. Then, they are responsible for reaching an evidence-based conclusion that is rooted in science and reasoning.
- Guided Inquiry — While the other inquiry-based learning approaches focus heavily on independent study, guided inquiry is a group process in which a small group of students collaborate to determine which investigation method to use to answer an open-ended question.
The Importance of Inquiry-Based Learning in Early Childhood
Children between the ages of 3 and 5 are just beginning their educational journeys. During this stage of their lives, the focus is more on satisfying their natural sense of curiosity than on knowledge acquisition, memorization, and fact reiteration. They need to see, feel, and explore to understand the world around them. Inquiry-led learning allows them to take advantage of this natural developmental stage, creating a lasting foundation for future learning.
Inquiry-led learning in early childhood is beneficial because:
- It sparks that natural sense of curiosity and begins to prepare the brain for higher learning.
- It promotes the development of soft skills, such as communication, collaboration and problem-solving.
- It allows students to make real-world connections with the topics they are learning about, which deepens learning and promotes retention.
- It allows students to enjoy an immersive and engaging learning environment, one which they enjoy coming to daily.
- It gives students a chance to take ownership of their learning experience. Prioritising their autonomy in the early years will help them feel more motivated and empowered at every stage of their education.
What Inquiry-Led Learning Looks Like in Preschool and Primary School Classrooms at OWIS Nanyang
At our international school in Singapore, we use inquiry-led learning at every level. In our preschool and primary school classrooms, inquiry-led learning involves:
- Studying Transdisciplinary Themes
At OWIS Nanyang, we offer the International Baccalaureate curriculum for our Early Childhood, Primary School and pre-university Secondary programmes. Throughout the IB programme, students are exposed to transdisciplinary themes that illustrate how topics and learning extend beyond specific subject areas. These themes provide students with opportunities to ask questions and make connections, fostering a deeper and lasting understanding of the material.
- Creating Hands-On Centres Where Children Can Explore Relevant Topics
Within the early childhood programme, and in the first several years of primary school, students engage in hands-on learning. Teachers create classroom centres that focus on the transdisciplinary theme being discussed, allowing students to explore the topics in a tactile way that continues to spark their curiosity.
Centres that support inquiry-led learning may include:
– A tub table filled with wooden blocks, where students are encouraged to design a tower.
– A dramatic play area where students can participate in an imaginary economy.
– A sensory bin with elements that are related to a particular theme, such as a bin filled with sand and seashells allows students to learn about beach ecosystems.
- Taking Advantage of Outdoor Learning Opportunities
Young learners need to exercise their bodies to grow their minds, which is why outdoor learning is a priority at OWIS Nanyang. Our campus in Singapore boasts numerous outdoor learning environments, providing preschool and primary school students with the opportunity to benefit from fresh air and exercise while exploring the themes discussed in the classroom.
- Designing Classrooms to Promote Discussion
All the classrooms at the One World International School Nanyang Campus have been thoughtfully designed to encourage discussion and promote student engagement. By strategically placing furniture in a way that encourages discussion, we enable students to participate in inquiry-led learning activities. In addition to having traditional classroom features, such as desks and smart boards, students benefit from flexible seating, quiet reading areas, free play areas and more. The teachers at OWIS Nanyang recognise the critical role that the learning environment plays in student success. They design each classroom to complement our inquiry-led curriculum, ensuring that the space supports and enhances students’ exploration and discovery.
Visit the One World International School Nanyang Campus Today
At OWIS Nanyang, we are proud to offer an inquiry-led preschool and primary school in Singapore. This approach to learning complements our holistic approach to education, allowing us to meet the social, emotional, physical and academic needs of every child on our campus.
Learn how we incorporate inquiry-led learning strategies into everyday life at our international school in Singapore. Schedule your tour of the One World International School Nanyang campus today.
