Inquiry skills have attracted particular attention since the introduction of "periods for integrated studies" in high schools and their connection to university entrance exams (comprehensive selection).
I understand that it's good to develop them, but what exactly are inquiry skills? Also, what are the benefits and methods of fostering inquiry skills? Let's think about this together today!
What are inquiry skills?
Inquiry skills refer to the desire to "know" in response to various questions..
It is becoming increasingly important as a "life skill" essential for becoming the kind of person needed in today's rapidly changing society.
Early childhood is an important period for cultivating the foundation of inquiry skills
In high school "Curriculum Guidelines," it is required to enhance inquiry skills in real life and in the context of academic subjects.
However, it is difficult to acquire these inquiry skills in real life through school studies, so it is important to lay the foundation for inquiry skills during early childhood.
Let's look at inquiry skills
Inquiry skills are hard to measure, but if you're curious, try observing daily life from the following perspectives.
For example, if you're playing in a sandbox and the sand is too dry to build a tall mountain.
In such a case, if the sand keeps flowing down and you just keep piling up sand, it is likely that your inquiry skills have not yet developed.
On the other hand, if you question why a tall mountain cannot be built, consider the cause, and are able to improve the situation through trial and error, it suggests that your inquiry skills are budding.
Benefits of fostering inquiry skills
There are benefits to fostering inquiry skills, such as:
You can find your own way of life
By cultivating inquiry skills, you can find and pursue your own path in life.
In the coming era, we can expect the emergence of new technologies and changes in social conditions unlike anything experienced in the past.
However, with inquiry skills, you can find a satisfying way of life that is uniquely your own, no matter the situation.
Ability to think and act independently
By fostering inquiry skills, you will be able to think and act independently.
The process of inquiry involves "asking questions → collecting information → thinking → acting."
Instead of "doing what mom or dad tells me," being able to think and act independently leads to developing self-reliance.
Develop a never-give-up attitude
By fostering a spirit of inquiry, we cultivate a mindset that doesn't give up.
Inquiry requires trial and error, so perseverance is developed through the process of exploration.
Therefore, even if they fail, they will develop a strong spirit that doesn't easily get discouraged.
How to foster a spirit of inquiry
To foster your child's spirit of inquiry at home, try the following methods:
Method ① Provide many experiences
First, give your child many experiences so they can find subjects to explore.
Children often discover subjects to explore through their own experiences, rather than from things they hear from others or information from TV or books.
It is recommended to take them to museums, art museums, aquariums, and zoos that stimulate their intellectual curiosity, or go on hikes and camping trips where they can connect with nature.
Also, even in everyday experiences such as walks and shopping, there are many themes for exploration. By consciously looking for them, you can find subjects to explore, so it might be good to find them together as a family.
Method ② Encourage deep thinking
Once your child finds a subject to explore, let them think about it thoroughly.
While setting a theme to research each week can be good, time limits might make them stop thinking. So, if there's no particular hurry, create an environment where they can research and think as much as they like.
It's also important not to immediately give them the answer when they ask a question.
When your child asks a question, empathize with "Why do you think that?" and guide them to find the answer themselves.
Method ③ Elicit questions
If your child has a question but struggles to articulate it, the parent should help them formulate the question.
However, instead of immediately articulating what your child wants to say with "Do you want to know about XX?", it's important to ask questions like "Why do you think that?" and "What would you gain from knowing that?" to help your child organize their thoughts and guide them toward an answer.
Method ④ Affirm their questions
Even if an adult considers a child's question to be silly, you should affirm their question.
A child's mind is more delicate than adults realize. It's highly possible that a casual remark from an adult can leave a deep impression on a child.
If you negate their questions, your child may become afraid to ask questions and lose their spirit of inquiry, so be careful.
Method ⑤ Praise them for asking questions
If your child is exploring, praise them for asking questions, saying, "That's it! You noticed that!"
In order to explore, it is a prerequisite to have questions.
It is important to make your child feel that simply asking questions is wonderful so that they can explore a lot.
Summary
Let's review the "methods to foster a spirit of inquiry" that we introduced this time.
①Provide plenty of experiences.
②Encourage careful thought.
③Draw out questions.
④Affirm their questions.
⑤Praise them for having questions.
A sense of inquiry grows from efforts made since early childhood.
Please be mindful of this in your daily life and nurture your child's sense of inquiry.