At Concordia College, we believe children learn best when they explore, question and discover for themselves. That’s why we embrace hands-on, inquiry-based learning—an approach that encourages students to actively engage with their surroundings, think critically and develop a lifelong love of learning.
When children experiment, build and investigate, they take ownership of their learning. Whether measuring ingredients in a baking project, observing insects in the garden or designing a simple machine, hands-on activities make concepts come to life. This type of learning isn’t just fun—it strengthens problem-solving skills, creativity and confidence.
Inquiry-based learning starts with curiosity. Instead of simply providing answers, teachers guide students to ask questions, test ideas and make discoveries. For example, in a Science lesson about floating and sinking, students might explore different objects in water before discussing the reasons behind their observations. However, hands-on exploration is most effective when combined with explicit instruction at key moments. Teachers provide direct guidance, explain complex ideas and help students make meaningful connections—ensuring they develop a deep and accurate understanding of concepts.
As parents, you can support this at home by encouraging exploration and discovery in everyday activities:
- Encourage Questions: When your child asks, “Why?” respond with, “What do you think?” and explore the answer together.
- Create Hands-On Experiences: Try simple experiments, cooking, gardening or building projects to spark curiosity.
- Embrace Mistakes: Remind your child that learning happens through trial and error—mistakes are opportunities to grow!
- Provide Clear Explanations: When your child struggles to understand a concept, offer guidance and explanations to deepen their learning.
By fostering a balance between hands-on discovery and explicit instruction, we are helping our children become independent thinkers, problem-solvers and lifelong learners.
Let’s keep their curiosity alive—both in the classroom and at home!
Nicolette McClure
Junior Primary Leader - St John's Campus
Rachel Saunders
Upper Primary Leaders - St John's Campus
Nicolle Jakube
Primary School Learning Leader - St Peters Campus
