Teaching
Children to Inquire
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To Inquire
Children
can learn many things through the exchange of questions
and it is equally important for both parents and teachers
to encourage this method of learning. What needs to be done
is to create a suitable environment that motivates children
to learn through this method.
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As education providers,
our goal is to develop learning interest in children
through direct experiences. This will help children
develop concepts and acquire skills in using language
effectively.
As a result,
children will increase maturity and independence,
resulting to the ability to make rational decisions.
This should never be taken for granted since it is
imperative for children to learn this positive behavior.
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Critical
thinking through asking questions is necessary in
a child-centered environment. When kids express their
own points of view, they are encouraged to practice
critical thinking.
The values
infused in this learning approach are cooperation
and support for collaboration.
Children
ask questions out of curiosity, especially preschoolers.
However, they eventually learn later on that the purpose
of asking questions is to gain information from other
people.
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Importance
of Questions and Answers
Teachers and
parents know a lot-this is how children perceive them. Children
trust adults and this is critical to their learning curve.
It is strongly
advised that adults teach children to respond to questions
using non-verbal communication.
Children build
knowledge through a combination of skills and applied knowledge,
which they have gotten from asking questions.
When kids ask
questions, they learn several things like:
- Looking at
different angles of the problem.;
- Trying other
possible choices;
- Segregating
their own motives and targets;
- Thinking of
several ways to resolve issues;
- Foreseeing
results and find out if the outcomes are favorable; and
- Increasing
self-esteem and individuality in approaching problems
Teaching Children
How to Answer Questions Creatively
Adults always
give children tons of information-both serious and trivial-in
the many years that they have exchanged conversations. Children
are naturally inquisitive on all things they observe, they
want answers that even adults cannot provide, which can
prove annoying at times.
It may be possible
that the answers are short and then others are longer, depending
on the inquiry.
Adults can make
suggestions to kids about several ways of getting information
other than verbal communication-like a nod, headshake, and
other physical languages. It is not only adults who can
learn doing this, but also kids. What we can do, though,
is not to teach kids much of this behavior because this
may be perceived as rudeness.
A common example
is when the kid asks how the grass grows. When he does this,
you can actually show him how to plant. This may be difficult
in some situations, but constant practice will let the child
know that his inquiry is being answered. Kids are also naturally
curious about how things work and this can prove to be an
efficient means of learning.
Critical thinking
through asking questions is necessary in a child-centered
environment. When kids express their own point of view,
they are encouraged to practice critical thinking.
Another approach
is to give out questions that will make the child think
of the answers to his own questions. This is more difficult
since kids may not have fully developed logical functioning
yet.
Simple questions
like "How do we resolve our problem today?" will certainly
bring out the best in him and other kids. Be sure to have
the answers with you.
Activities
To Encourage Children's Questioning
Teachers and
parents have many ways to encourage kids to ask questions.
Below are activities that may be prepared at home or in
school.
1) Use animals,
plants, insects, and artifacts as examples.
New things will
always make children curious. Ask them to use the five senses
and for sure, the kids will explore new things. You will
be amazed at what the children may ask!
2) Devise ways
to expose the children to questions.
These questions
may be placed in walls. Be sure to stimulate thinking through
these and encourage discussion about several things. Record
the questions they raise so you can figure out what it is.
3) To boost the
language skills of kids, reading should be encouraged.
This will surely
expand the children's vocabulary. Be sure to make reading
a child's habit every day and make this consistent.
4) Use games
as a learning methodology.
Kids love playing
games. Use games to ask questions. This may be done with
groups of six. All that needs to be done is to have a child
select anything. The team should prepare 20 questions to
find out what the object is.
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