Blooming Curious

In this episode, Edwina looks at the common issue of children complaining that they're bored, or that what they're doing is boring! She explores the underlying reasons behind this behaviour, categorised into four types: tasks that are too easy, tasks that are too hard, lack of personal relevance, and passive learning experiences. Through evidence-based research and practical strategies, Edwina provides insights on how to diagnose and effectively respond to each type of boredom. Additionally, she discusses the importance of fostering communication skills in children to articulate their needs and the potential benefits of unstructured, free time.Join Edwina to learn actionable strategies to transform 'I'm bored' into opportunities for meaningful engagement and growth.Sign up to Get Curious, the inspirational weekly newsletter for curious educators HERE☕️ If you like my work and want to encourage me to keep going you can do so by Buying me a Coffee. Any contribution will be gratefully received and will certainly give me the kick I need to keep going.💌 Connect with Edwina:Email: contact@bloomingcurious.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/blooming_curious/Website: https://www.bloomingcurious.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/bloomingcuriousYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@edsbloomingcurious00:00 Introduction: Tackling the Dreaded 'I'm Bored'01:00 Understanding the Real Reasons Behind Boredom01:20 Types of Boredom: Too Easy, Too Hard, and More04:48 Diagnosing Boredom: Key Questions to Ask07:36 Effective Responses to Different Types of Boredom10:36 Teaching Better Communication and Embracing Productive Boredom13:00 Conclusion: Recap and Final Thoughts13:53 Stay Connected: Subscribe for More Tips

Not all questions are created equal. In this episode we discuss how open-ended questions stimulate critical thinking and curiosity. We explore strategies to move away from giving direct answers and instead, encourage exploration and inquiry. The episode emphasises the significance of waiting for children to formulate their responses and using concrete materials to help them understand concepts. Additionally, it highlights the importance of raising a generation of critical thinkers who are not afraid to ask questions and investigate biases.Get your free downloadable PDF with open-ended question prompts HERE00:00 The Power of Questions in Engaging Children00:36 The Purpose of Questions: Inviting Thinking01:05 Encouraging Curiosity: Moving Away from Closed Questions01:46 Building on Children's Interests: Exploration and Inquiry02:43 The Role of Wait Time in Questioning03:23 Handling Incorrect Answers: Encouraging Concrete Understanding04:21 Raising Critical Thinkers: The Importance of Questions05:13 Resources for Encouraging Curiosity05:33 Conclusion and Call to ActionSign up to Get Curious, the inspirational weekly newsletter for curious educators HERE💌 Connect with Edwina:Email: contact@bloomingcurious.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/blooming_curious/Website: https://www.bloomingcurious.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/bloomingcuriousYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@edsbloomingcurious☕️ If you like my work and want to encourage me to keep going you can do so by buying me a coffee! Any contribution will be gratefully received and will certainly give me the kick I need to keep going.☕️

This is a replay of episode 40 - Should educators be decorating their classrooms or learning spaces? Before you start stressing over classroom decor and spending your own hard earned cash, or worrying about what to do to start off your homeschooling journey, have a listen to top tips that will help you kick off the new year with confidence.You don't need more resources or more stuff, you need some simple things to help you get started and give children the agency they need to feel like confident learners.In this episode I ask whether it's really necessary to decorate classrooms, and what are the alternatives?Listen to previous episodes that focus on getting set up and organised for a new teaching year focusing most importantly on the strategies to get students engaged.Episode 41 discusses making curiosity a priority.Episode 12 explores enhancing outdoor learning environments.Episode 39 covers overall classroom organisation.Practical advice includes using calming, natural colours, setting up functional learning areas, and incorporating manipulatives for hands-on learning.Episode 57 Essential Planning Tips for Back to SchoolGet you Inspiring Space Checklist HERESign up to Get Curious, the inspirational weekly newsletter for curious parents and educators HERE💌Connect with Edwina:Email: contact@bloomingcurious.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/blooming_curious/Website: https://www.bloomingcurious.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/bloomingcuriousYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@edsbloomingcurious☕️ If you like my work and want to encourage me to keep going you can do so by Buying me a Coffee. Any contribution will be gratefully received and will certainly give me the kick I need to keep going.☕️

In this episode of Blooming Curious, we welcome back Jessica Vance, passionate inquiry educator and author, to discuss her latest book, 'Evidence of Inquiry.' The book offers a hands-on guide to making learning visible and building a culture of inquiry through learning walls. Jessica shares her journey and thought process behind writing the book, offers practical advice on creating and using learning walls, and highlights the benefits of these tools in fostering student engagement and assessment. The conversation also covers the differences between learning walls and wonder walls, and how both can be effectively utilised in various educational settings. Jessica emphasises the importance of empowering educators to adopt inquiry-based practices and provides real examples and resources to get started. This episode is a valuable resource for educators looking to deepen their understanding of inquiry-based learning and innovative assessment methods.🔗 Visit Jessica's website HEREOnline collaborative whiteboards: Figjam, MIRO and PadletMentions: Trevor MacKenzie.✍️ To sign up to Get Curious, the newsletter that gives you a dose of weekly inspiration, and the strategies and resources to help you, help children to thrive in their learning, go HERE💌 Connect with Edwina:Email: contact@bloomingcurious.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/blooming_curious/Website: https://www.bloomingcurious.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/bloomingcuriousYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@edsbloomingcurious☕️ If you appreciate my work and want to encourage me to keep going, you can do so by buying me a coffee! Any contribution will be gratefully received and will certainly give me the support I need to keep going.☕️00:00 Welcome Back, Jessica Vance!00:48 The Journey of Writing 'Evidence of Inquiry'01:09 Learning Walls vs. Wonder Walls01:41 Building and Utilizing Learning Walls05:20 Practical Tips for Educators11:31 Modelling and Explicit Teaching15:44 Starting with Learning Walls20:43 Assessment and Documentation29:44 Virtual Learning Walls32:23 Inspiring Stories and Final Thoughts

In this episode, discover how to seamlessly weave literacy into every subject without adding more prep time. Learn three practical strategies: using picture books to create cross-curricular connections, implementing a vocabulary spiral to reinforce key terms, and leveraging the reading-writing connection in subjects like math, science, and social studies.Get actionable tips for starting small and find resources for ready-to-use picture book lesson plans designed to enhance your teaching. Perfect for educators looking to boost literacy while managing a busy curriculum.🔗 For links mentioned:Q Pootle 5The Curious GardenThe Tiger Who Came to TeaResources.✍️ To sign up to Get Curious, the newsletter that gives you a dose of weekly inspiration, and the strategies and resources to help you, help children to thrive in their learning, go HERE💌 Connect with Edwina:Email: contact@bloomingcurious.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/blooming_curious/Website: https://www.bloomingcurious.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/bloomingcuriousYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@edsbloomingcurious☕️ If you appreciate my work and want to encourage me to keep going, you can do so by buying me a coffee! Any contribution will be gratefully received and will certainly give me the support I need to keep going.☕️00:00 Introduction: The Curriculum Tetris Dilemma01:19 Strategy 1: The Picture Book Bridge03:31 Strategy 2: The Vocabulary Spiral04:50 Strategy 3: The Reading-Writing Connection05:55 Implementation Tips and Resources07:30 Conclusion: Stay Blooming Curious

Ignite your classroom with 5 Simple Inquiry Strategies to Spark Classroom Curiosity and Engagement! In this episode, Edwina provides practical, down-to-earth ways to bring inquiry-based learning to life. Discover how to replace textbook questions with real-world problems, embrace the messy middle of student exploration, and use simple tools like “Notice, Wonder, Next” to make thinking visible.Learn how to build on student questions and create low-stakes sharing opportunities to deepen authentic learning.Plus, don’t miss the Curiosity Toolkit—a planning framework with metacognition question starters, provocation prompts, and 33 picture book suggestions to weave inquiry into your lessons. Get it for just $10 and join the Blooming Curious Community for free!Get you Curiosity Toolkit HERE. Perfect for anyone looking to boost student engagement and curiosity.🔗 For links mentioned and details go to the episode website.✍️ To sign up to Get Curious, the newsletter that gives you a dose of weekly inspiration, and the strategies and resources to help you, help children to thrive in their learning, go HERE💌 Connect with Edwina:Email: contact@bloomingcurious.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/blooming_curious/Website: https://www.bloomingcurious.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/bloomingcuriousYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@edsbloomingcurious☕️ If you appreciate my work and want to encourage me to keep going, you can do so by buying me a coffee! Any contribution will be gratefully received and will certainly give me the support I need to keep going.☕️00:00 Introduction to Blooming Curious00:02 The Essence of Inquiry01:04 Real Problems Over Textbook Questions02:11 Embrace the Messy Middle04:23 Make Learning Visible with Simple Tools05:39 Build on Student Questions07:25 Create Low-Stake Sharing Opportunities08:19 Bringing It All Together08:47 Special Offer: Curiosity Toolkit09:56 Final Thoughts and Farewell

In this episode, Edwina explores the importance of harnessing children's natural curiosity through everyday moments. She offers practical advice for homeschooling parents and anyone wanting to create a curiosity-rich learning environment at home. Key strategies include becoming a professional question-asker, modelling curiosity by wondering out loud, and following children's natural fascinations instead of a rigid agenda.🔗 Links mentioned:Get the FREE Curiosity Bundle✍️ To sign up to Get Curious, the newsletter that gives you a dose of weekly inspiration, and the strategies and resources to help you, help children to thrive in their learning, go HERE💌 Connect with Edwina:Email: contact@bloomingcurious.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/blooming_curious/Website: https://www.bloomingcurious.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/bloomingcuriousYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@edsbloomingcurious☕️ If you appreciate my work and want to encourage me to keep going, you can do so by buying me a coffee! Any contribution will be gratefully received and will certainly give me the support I need to keep going.☕️00:00 Introduction: The Endless 'Why' Questions00:18 The Importance of Curiosity in Learning00:26 Welcome and Episode Overview00:36 Curiosity in Everyday Moments01:11 Three Practical Ways to Foster Curiosity02:43 Addressing Common Concerns02:57 Introducing the Curiosity Bundle03:06 How the Curiosity Bundle Works04:58 Conclusion: Embrace Curiosity05:30 Final Thoughts and Farewell

In this episode of Blooming Curious, Edwina discusses how adults can model curiosity to help children become curious learners. She highlights that children's curiosity mirrors that of the adults around them and provides five practical strategies to foster a curious mindset.🔗 For links mentioned:Get the Curiosity ToolkitGet the FREE Curiosity Bundle✍️ To sign up to Get Curious, the newsletter that gives you a dose of weekly inspiration, and the strategies and resources to help you, help children to thrive in their learning, go HERE.💌 Connect with Edwina:Email: contact@bloomingcurious.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/blooming_curious/Website: https://www.bloomingcurious.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/bloomingcuriousYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@edsbloomingcurious☕️ If you appreciate my work and want to encourage me to keep going, you can do so by buying me a coffee! Any contribution will be gratefully received and will certainly give me the support I need to keep going.☕️00:00 Introduction: The Importance of Modelling Curiosity00:07 The Problem with Adult Curiosity01:01 Five Practical Ways to Model Curiosity02:13 Curiosity in Action: Real-Life Examples03:35 The Role of Educators in Fostering Curiosity04:11 Conclusion and Resources

Discover the missing ingredient in early learning environments that can transform how children learn. Edwina reveals a teaching experience that changed everything, and how this experience ignited a passion for learning in her students. Learn how to integrate curiosity into teaching with a downloadable toolkit designed to shift from compliance-based teaching to connection-based learning. Tune in to explore how to spark lifelong curiosity in early learners - the secret to raising inquisitive, joyful kids.🔗 Links:The Curiosity Toolkit✍️ To sign up to Get Curious, the newsletter that gives you a dose of weekly inspiration, and the strategies and resources to help you, help children to thrive in their learning, go HERE💌 Connect with Edwina:Email: contact@bloomingcurious.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/blooming_curious/Website: https://www.bloomingcurious.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/bloomingcuriousYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@edsbloomingcurious☕️ If you appreciate my work and want to encourage me to keep going, you can do so by buying me a coffee! Any contribution will be gratefully received and will certainly give me the support I need to keep going.☕️00:00 Introduction: The Secret to Lifelong Learning00:51 A Transformative Teaching Moment02:28 The Power of Curiosity in Learning03:15 Curiosity Toolkit for Educators04:02 Conclusion and Next Steps

Summer break, is not just as a time for recovery, but also an opportunity for a mindset reset towards intentional growth. The episode offers practical tips for true rest, reflective journaling prompts, and book recommendations to reignite and recharge for a human-centred return to teaching. Tune in to learn how to embrace rest, reflection, and inspiration this summer.🔗 Links mentioned:Get the Curiosity ToolkitRead: How to stay curious as an educatorTop Inspirational Resources for Early Childhood Educators.✍️ To sign up to Get Curious, the newsletter that gives you a dose of weekly inspiration, and the strategies and resources to help you, help children to thrive in their learning, go HERE💌 Connect with Edwina:Email: contact@bloomingcurious.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/blooming_curious/Website: https://www.bloomingcurious.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/bloomingcuriousYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@edsbloomingcurious☕️ If you appreciate my work and want to encourage me to keep going, you can do so by buying me a coffee! Any contribution will be gratefully received and will certainly give me the support I need to keep going.☕️00:00 Welcome to Blooming Curious00:47 The Importance of Summer Break01:32 Ways to Recharge and Reflect03:35 Book Recommendations for Educators05:08 Preparing for a Human-Centered Future06:53 Curiosity Toolkit and Community07:46 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

Introducing the ultimate engagement strategy... The Curiosity Toolkit: A simple way to engage children and foster curiosity. In this episode, Edwina shares the experience that changed everything for her. She introduces the Curiosity Toolkit, a resource designed for home and classroom educators to easily incorporate curiosity into their teaching practice. This toolkit doesn't require a complete overhaul of current strategies but offers a mindset shift with practical tweaks. It includes clear strategies, guiding questions, curiosity prompts, and ready-to-use examples that can be applied in any learning environment.🔗 For links mentioned:Get the Curiosity ToolkitRead: Preparing Children for Future Ready Learning with the Curiosity Toolkit✍️ To sign up to Get Curious, the newsletter that gives you a dose of weekly inspiration, and the strategies and resources to help you, help children to thrive in their learning, go HERE💌 Connect with Edwina:Email: contact@bloomingcurious.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/blooming_curious/Website: https://www.bloomingcurious.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/bloomingcuriousYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@edsbloomingcurious☕️ If you appreciate my work and want to encourage me to keep going, you can do so by buying me a coffee! Any contribution will be gratefully received and will certainly give me the support I need to keep going.☕️00:00 Introduction to the Curiosity Toolkit05:23 What is the Curiosity Toolkit?05:46 How the Curiosity Toolkit Works

In this episode, we look at the challenges faced by educators today, from disengaged students to a stifling curriculum. We discuss the results of a recent survey highlighting these issues and propose a pivotal change: focusing on curiosity, creativity, and adaptability to prepare students for a future integrated with AI.If we are to prepare students for a unknown future, then we must face the reality that rote learning and the curriculum are really not that important in the overall scheme of things. Is curiosity the differentiator between success and failure in the future?🔗 Links mentioned: Get your FREE Curiosity Bundle✍️ To sign up to Get Curious, the newsletter that gives you a dose of weekly inspiration, and the strategies and resources to help you, help children to thrive in their learning, go HERE💌 Connect with Edwina:Email: contact@bloomingcurious.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/blooming_curious/Website: https://www.bloomingcurious.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/bloomingcuriousYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@edsbloomingcurious☕️ If you appreciate my work and want to encourage me to keep going, you can do so by buying me a coffee! Any contribution will be gratefully received and will certainly give me the support I need to keep going.☕️00:00 The Struggles of Modern Teaching00:19 Survey Results: Teachers' Frustrations01:23 The Turning Point in Education02:00 The Importance of Curiosity in the Age of AI03:35 Introducing the Curiosity Bundle04:23 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

In this episode, Edwina looks at how to turn a 'Wonder Wall' from a static classroom decoration into a dynamic part of the learning process. By using students' questions for guided inquiry, educators can make Wonder Walls meaningful and interactive. This episode provides practical steps for incorporating inquiry-based learning into the curriculum through Wonder Walls.🔗 Links: Listen to this interview with the Queen of Learning walls, Jessica Vance✍️ To sign up to Get Curious, the newsletter that gives you a dose of weekly inspiration, and the strategies and resources to help you, help children to thrive in their learning, go HERE💌 Connect with Edwina:Email: contact@bloomingcurious.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/blooming_curious/Website: https://www.bloomingcurious.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/bloomingcuriousYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@edsbloomingcurious☕️ If you appreciate my work and want to encourage me to keep going, you can do so by buying me a coffee! Any contribution will be gratefully received and will certainly give me the support I need to keep going.☕️00:00 Introduction: The Missed Opportunity of Wonder Walls01:45 Understanding Wonder Walls and Learning Walls02:24 Activating the Wonder Wall for Inquiry-Based Learning03:52 Practical Tips for Dynamic Wonder Walls04:53 Incorporating Wonder Walls into Your Teaching Routine05:26 Conclusion and Weekly Inspiration

Transform Your Teaching: Integrated Learning with The Tiger Who Came to Tea. This episode addresses the common frustrations that educators face with lesson planning, and offers a solution through integrated learning using picture books. I share my personal experiences and insights from my teaching career, highlighting the effectiveness of using picture books to create comprehensive, hands-on lesson plans that cover multiple curriculum areas. In this episode I introduce you to a ready-made lesson plan designed to save you time and engage students with creative and interactive learning experiences.🔗 Links:Teaching K-2 with Picture BooksPicture book lesson plans✍️ To sign up to Get Curious, the newsletter that gives you a dose of weekly inspiration, and the strategies and resources to help you, help children to thrive in their learning, go HERE💌 Connect with Edwina:Email: contact@bloomingcurious.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/blooming_curious/Website: https://www.bloomingcurious.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/bloomingcuriousYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@edsbloomingcurious☕️ If you appreciate my work and want to encourage me to keep going, you can do so by buying me a coffee! Any contribution will be gratefully received and will certainly give me the support I need to keep going.☕️00:00 The Struggles of Lesson Planning01:56 Integrating Play into Learning02:57 Using Picture Books as Learning Catalysts04:16 A Real-Life Example: Learning About Movement07:16 Comprehensive Lesson Plan: The Tiger Who Came to Tea09:57 Join the Blooming Community10:35 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

Curiosity as the foundation of learning. Edwina reflects on the insights shared by various experienced educators like Sally Haughey, Claire Warden, Jessica Vance, Tonya Gilchrist, and April Zajko, about the decline of curiosity in children. Edwina critiques the prevalent easy-route teaching methods such as scripted lessons and reliance on worksheets and urge educators to deeply reflect on their teaching practices, stand up for their belief in nurturing curiosity, and embrace inquiry-based learning to truly enrich children’s learning experiences.🔗 Links mentioned:Interview with April ZajkoInterview with Claire WardenInterview with Jessica VanceInterview with Tonya GilchristInterview with Sally HaugheyRead: The Most Effective Teaching Strategies for Student Learning✍️ To sign up to Get Curious, the newsletter that gives you a dose of weekly inspiration, and the strategies and resources to help you, help children to thrive in their learning, go HERE💌 Connect with Edwina:Email: contact@bloomingcurious.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/blooming_curious/Website: https://www.bloomingcurious.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/bloomingcuriousYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@edsbloomingcurious☕️ If you appreciate my work and want to encourage me to keep going, you can do so by buying me a coffee! Any contribution will be gratefully received and will certainly give me the support I need to keep going.☕️00:00 Welcome to Blooming Curious00:01 Highlighting Esteemed Educators00:26 The Decline of Curiosity in Children01:11 Challenges of Inquiry-Based Learning02:04 Reflecting on Educational Values02:54 Call to Action for Educators03:36 Closing Thoughts and Gratitude