Inquiry-based learning (IBL) continues to be the trend within many early years’ programs. Research shows that if facilitated appropriately, this style of learning encourages very young children to investigate in collaboration with others using different forms of communication and it enables them to make use of more capable peers and/or problem solve under supervision. This can be done indoors, as well as outdoors. But what exactly is it? What does it look like? What ages of children are ideal for IBL? How can one incorporate the elements in your setting? In order to address these questions, we will explore the philosophical foundations of IBL in early childhood learning and some powerful strategies we can use on a daily basis to increase children’s critical thinking. The workshop is an introduction to IBL in the early years setting.

Objectives
Participants will be able to:

• Understand that Inquiry Based Learning and small steps to adopt to promote children’s critical thinking
• How can one incorporate the elements of Inquiry Based Learning in your setting?
• Open ended questions
• How to scaffolding children’s learning
• How do you assess Inquiry Based Learning?
• Importance of “backward design” in the Inquiry Based Learning process

Outline 
Day 1:

• What is Inquiry Based Learning
• Types of Inquiry Based Learning
• Process of Inquiry Based Learning
• How to support children’s inquiry thinking
• Backward design and the role in Inquiry Based Learning

Day 2:

• Scaffolding children through a project
• Ball Toss – high-quality back-and-forth interactions
• Role of teacher along a continuum that helps students control their learning
• Assessing Inquiry Based Learning
• Adopting an Inquiry Based Learning approach in your setting, where do you start?
• Reflection

Trainer’s Profile
Dr. Ezeh is an international educational consultant, trainer and speaker based in Grand Rapids, Michigan USA. With over 27 years in higher education, Ezeh served as the Professor and Director of the Early Childhood Education program at Aquinas College. In addition, to developing and teaching early childhood and general education courses, Ezeh developed and taught a semester-long course on Reggio Emilia approach and served as faculty liaison for their lab schools.  Dr. Ezeh has served as an adult and parent educator, not only teaching parents but listening and learning from those who can best describe what life is like for families. As a consultant, she has assisted several non-profit agencies, setting up schools, providing curriculum and evaluation expertise at a level that many would not normally have been able to access.

Dr. Ezeh has extensive experience conducting professional development, parent education workshops and in school consultation and coaching early childhood practitioners and elementary school teachers.

She is the founder of the landmark program Early Learning Neighborhood Collaborative (ELNC) – an organization that provides access to early learning opportunities to vulnerable children in Michigan USA. In 2013, understanding the need to support the entire family, she developed Empowering Parents Impacting Children (EPIC) model, a two generational approach that provides all families’ access to a Family Coach who supports their efforts to meet basic needs and increase social capital.

Her work on behalf of vulnerable children has earned her speaking engagements around the world and numerous awards – including the 2022 High Scope International Charles Eugene Beatty Award Courageous Leader Award; 2021 Aquinas College Distinguished Service Award; 2020 Grand Rapids Community College Distinguished Alumni of the Year; 2019 Distinguished Community Trustee Award highest from the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce; 2018 West Michigan Woman of the Year; one of the 50 Most Influential Women in West Michigan in 2018; the 2017 Sojourner Truth Award and 2016 GVSU Alumni of the Year and Giant in Education Award.

Ezeh now devotes her time and attention on making learning and the teaching process visible, developing emerging leaders, advocating for women and young girls, and taking a two generation approach to early childhood education to vulnerable communities.

Dr. Ezeh has published two books – her memoir – Nwaenyi: Child of an Elephant: Lessons Learned from My Father, a Nigerian Chief, About Child Development and Affirmations and about her work with ELNC – Providing Hyper-Localized Early Childhood Programming: A Framework from the Early Learning Neighborhood Collaborative (ELNC).

Methodology
This workshop will offer varieties of opportunities for experiential and collaborative learning. Participants will have the opportunity and are expected to be active participants in the discussion, both within the small and large group formats; reflecting on their own journey and learning in a supportive environment that allow them to gain practical knowledge that can be applied to teaching practices.

Target Audience
Teachers, early childhood educators, curriculum coordinator, parent educator and administrators of children aged 0 to 8 years.

Fees
1 person: SGD1190.00/person
2 to 4 person: SGD1090.00/person
5 person & more: SGD890.00/person

Venue
Singapore (exact location to be advised)
Information on Entering Singapore Requirements

Other Details
Duration: 2 days, 12 hours
Closing Date: 30 Jun 2024

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