Creative Thinkers Kindergarten: An inquiry based education system that nurtures critical thinkers

According to the Reggio Emilia Principles there are many languages children use to express themselves and make connections with the world.

Reggio educators’ decades of research and study of children reveal that children are constantly engaged in communicating and developing relationships with others, and in constructing their skills and understanding by involving all their senses.

It is important to use many other artistic languages along with literacy and numeracy to expand and explore growing minds.

An inquiry approach allows teachers to create meaningful learning experiences, giving students the time and space to engage in greater critical and creative thinking.

As a Singaporean partner school we receive continuous academic support in curriculum planning and resources.

Inquiry-based learning is a learning process that engages students by making real-world connections through exploration and creativity. The experiential learning process teaches children that there is so much happening in our world.

We have also introduced STEM (Mathematics and Science) and STEAM (Art) in to inquiry based education for young children in Sri Lanka.

STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics and art) has been catching up globally in the past few years and is considered a positive mode of action to truly meet the needs of a 21st century economy.

It is vital for our children to thrive and be future ready in the present and rapidly approaching future. The traditional Sri Lankan education system has not been able to address the fastchanging requirements of a growing world.

STEAM—which brings the elements of STEM together with the arts guides students’ in critical thinking, inquiry, and dialogue and it is easy to incorporate these subjects to the curriculum. The many aspects that are used in STEAM education are important in inspiring creativity and innovation in children that will help them in the future to solve problems.It teaches critical thinking and problem solving skills.

There are many benefits in introducing STEAM early on during the development age of the child as there is an increasing need for these skills in the future.

At Creative Thinkers, STEM and STEAM are used based on curiosity, inquiry and play. Usually these activities are conducted in a group. There is also STEM exploration during free play where math games and building toys are also made available.

Kids learn a lot during the critical stage of development where they make connections, so preschool is the perfect age to start. They also learn inference skills and cause and effect during this stage.