How does the inquiry approach value children’s agency?
Discover how an inquiry approach values children’s leadership and transforms learning at St. Nicholas School, the best international school in São Paulo. Learn more!
In early childhood education, each discovery opens doors to new learning possibilities. More than just absorbing ready-made information, children have the opportunity to explore, question, and build their own paths to knowledge.
It is in this context that the inquiry approach stands out, becoming one of the most effective practices for valuing children’s leadership.
At St. Nicholas School, an international school recognized as one of the best IB Schools in São Paulo, children’s leadership is seen as essential for their overall development. Through inquiry, children are encouraged to be curious, creative, and active in their own learning process.
In this article, you will discover that:
- The inquiry approach goes beyond simply conveying content, transforming children into active agents of their own learning.
- Children’s sense of empowerment is strengthened when they participate in decision-making, ask questions, and seek creative solutions to their challenges.
- At St. Nicholas School, practical examples demonstrate how inquiry guides meaningful projects, activities, and play.
- The benefits of the inquiry approach extend not only to academic learning but also to socio-emotional, cultural, and creative development.
What is the inquiry approach in early childhood education?
The inquiry approach is a pedagogical practice that places children’s curiosity at the center of the learning process. Instead of receiving ready-made answers, students are encouraged to ask questions, develop hypotheses, explore different resources, and build knowledge based on their discoveries.
In early childhood education, this approach naturally connects with how children learn: through play, observation, experimentation, and interaction. Thus, learning ceases to be imposed and becomes an active, enjoyable, and meaningful experience.
Inspired by the principles of the IB (International Baccalaureate), research enables children to develop cognitive, emotional, and social skills from an early age, preparing them for a solid academic and personal journey.
However, the inquiry process in early childhood education is not random. It is carefully planned by educators, who create intentional provocations and provide appropriate resources for children to explore complex concepts in a concrete and meaningful way. This includes organizing stimulating physical spaces, selecting the right materials, and developing strategies that encourage questioning and reflection.
How does the inquiry approach contribute to children’s empowerment?
Children’s empowerment means recognizing children as active subjects in the educational process, valuing their ideas, choices, and forms of expression. The inquiry approach is a powerful tool for strengthening this empowerment because:
- Values children’s questions: questions like “Why does it rain?” or “Where does light come from?” are transformed into learning opportunities.
- Encourages autonomy: By proposing hypotheses and seeking answers, children learn to trust their ability to think and act.
- Promotes collaboration: Group investigations foster teamwork skills and cultivate respect for diverse perspectives.
- Awakens critical and creative thinking: Children learn to analyze situations, compare possibilities, and propose innovative solutions.
Practical examples of valuing children’s leadership at St. Nicholas School
At St. Nicholas School, children’s leadership comes to life through a pedagogical approach that combines inquiry and play, placing children at the center of their own learning.
This methodology is intentional and rich in meaningful experiences, in environments designed to foster curiosity, autonomy, and collaboration.
See how this manifests itself in practice:
Scientific exploration through play
Children build terrariums with soil, plants, rocks, and water, and observe phenomena such as condensation and plant growth. This process encourages hypotheses, critical thinking, and observational skills, functioning as a natural laboratory in the classroom.
Building a Country in the Classroom
In the PYP program, children are challenged to build their own country—defining rules, a flag, a language, a currency, and more. This interdisciplinary activity involves social studies, communication, and creative expression, while also fostering collaborative work, critical thinking, and social-emotional skills.
Playful Math with Concrete Materials
Through the use of various wooden blocks, students explore concepts such as addition, subtraction, weight, balance, and symmetry. All of this happens through constructive play, which makes math tangible, engaging, and visually accessible.
Language Expression and Inquiry Communication
Young children are encouraged to send and exchange messages creatively with peers and teachers. This spontaneous writing space develops language comprehension, curiosity about written communication, and strengthens the connection between school and family.
Outdoor Learning and Cosmological Investigation
By observing the sky, students reflect on phenomena such as day, night, the sun, the moon, and the stars. They use mirrors, drawings, transparencies, and light to visually and inquiringly explore these ideas, encouraging observation, reflection, and teamwork.
These examples demonstrate how St. Nicholas School teaches through inquiry and play—creating lively, meaningful, and engaging experiences that strengthen children’s agency, curiosity, and autonomy from an early age.
What are the benefits of adopting an inquiry-based approach to children’s holistic development?
Adopting an inquiry approach brings significant benefits to children’s development across different dimensions:
- Intellectual development
- Socio-emotional development
- Cultural development
- Creative development
- Future readiness
Is the inquiry approach appropriate for all ages in early childhood education?
Yes. From a very young age, children demonstrate natural curiosity. The inquiry approach takes advantage of this innate interest and adapts strategies according to age.
Does research replace traditional content teaching?
No. Content is part of the process, but it is addressed in a meaningful way, connecting it to children’s experiences and questions.
How can parents support an inquiry approach at home?
By encouraging questions, allowing children to explore their own solutions, and valuing their discoveries, parents strengthen children’s leadership outside of school.
Does the inquiry approach prepare children for the next levels of education?
Yes. By developing autonomy, critical thinking, and creativity, children build a solid foundation to face new academic and social challenges.
Conclusion
The inquiry approach is much more than a teaching methodology: it is a way of seeing children as protagonists of their own journey.
At St. Nicholas School, this practice is applied intentionally and transformatively, encouraging curiosity, autonomy, and the construction of meaningful knowledge.
Discover how St. Nicholas School, recognized as the best international school in São Paulo and one of the Best IB Schools, values children’s leadership through an inquiry approach.
Our pedagogical practices, aligned with the IB Continuum, foster curiosity, autonomy, and holistic development in children.
