The Curiosity Approach in Early Years Childcare Early Years learning comes in many different forms. One
of the most recent approaches to Early Years learning is the Curiosity Approach .
It is a modern day approach that promotes curiosity in children, creating
‘thinkers and doers of the future’.
At Parkfield
Nursery , this month’s blog looks at the Curiosity Approach and the benefits
it has on Early Years children.
What is the Curiosity Approach? The Curiosity Approach was developed by Lyndsey Hellyn and
Stephanie Bennett. With over 50 years of combined experience in Early
Childhood, they run six nurseries based on their approach. It seeks to
encourage children to do and think for themselves.
Curiosity is within all of us. It is the foundation of
learning. According to Lyndsey Hellyn and Stephanie Bennett, the key to
developing curiosity in young children is in the way you design your nursery
setting.
How Does It Work? In a Curiosity Approach setting, the brightly coloured walls
have disappeared. You also won’t find an abundance of plastic toys. Instead,
these have all been swapped with wooden materials, neutral tones and natural
resources.
This encourages a deeper learning. Too many bright colours
can overstimulate children and lead to frustration, miscommunication and tiredness.
At Parkfield Nursery, we aim to provide learning opportunities that promotes both
your children’s well-being and happiness.
Our soft furnishings and comfy spaces ensure your children
feel safe and relaxed in our environment. We provide them with an extension of
home to help develop skills including:
Independent Thinking Problem Solving Strong Non-verbal Communication Language Verbal Communication Risk Taking Respect for the Natural World Here are a few ways our approach benefits Early Years
children:
Natural Materials Not only are they sustainable, natural materials offer more
opportunity for creativity in children’s play. Natural resources offer a range
of textures and enable children to explore them closely through their senses.
We are living in a technical age where current toys and
technology are reducing children’s curiosity, social skills and deep level
thinking. By making changes to their
learning environment, we can protect and enhance these skills.
Outdoor Opportunities Outdoor learning is important. At Parkfield Nursery, we
encourage children to embrace nature in play. Furthermore, it is essential for
a child’s health and well-being. Nature allows them the freedom to explore and
discover.
We want children to be curious about the natural world and
respect it. A love of the great outdoors is one that never fades. Moreover, no
equipment is required to have fun.
Joy of Learning Curiosity is an essential element to the enjoyment of
learning. A child’s mind is always open, and they are ready to learn. They
desire to gain knowledge and explore.
The Curiosity Approach is about the enjoyment of discovering.
It inspires a child’s wonder of the world. By developing their curiosity, we
help children to develop the essential skills they need to grow into adulthood.
By adopting the Curiosity Approach, we enable children to
lead their own learning. It is essential for each child to develop at their own
pace.
Find Out More For more about the benefits of the Curiosity Approach at
Parkfield Nursery, please get in touch. Call us on 01228 543034 or fill out our online contact form .