TITLE:
Inquiry-Based Learning through the Creative Thinking and Expression in Early Years Education
AUTHORS:
Aikaterini Michalopoulou
KEYWORDS:
Creativity, Imagination, Art, Investigation, Inquiry, Curriculum, Early Years
JOURNAL NAME:
Creative Education,
Vol.5 No.6,
April
25,
2014
ABSTRACT: Many different
skills make up inquiry-based learning for children, and children need many opportunities
to develop and use these skills as they progress through the Kindergarten
years. Inquiry skills should not be taught in isolation, but integrated into
interesting topics and ideas. Children need many opportunities to generate and
discuss ideas, make plans, brainstorm solutions to problems, reflect and give
reasons for their choices. The aim of the research conducted at kindergartens
in Volos, is to explore pre-school age children’s responses, thoughts, ideas
and feelings through pictures of art. Our study involved asking children to
study paintings and create opportunities for them to express their ideas
through a wide range of types of representation. Creative expression influences
children’s growing competence as creative problem solvers.