The Inspire Philosophy: Go with The Flow
The Inspire Philosophy: Experimentation
This week, we tried something new. New for the children, new for our staff, new for the nursery. And oh, what fun we had! Experimentation lies at the heart of discovery, and through playful, hands-on experiences, children learn in ways that are meaningful and lasting.
Every day, beautiful projects come to life across the nursery. We love to explore new ideas and infuse our Kid’s Island flare into activities and experiences, both innovative and familiar. The spark for this week’s adventure came from many different ideas: the joy of whole-nursery experiences like Splash Day, the importance of free creative expression beyond the classroom, and the potential of large blank canvases just waiting to be transformed.
Eventually, we landed on an indoor ‘yes’ space where paint was our medium and the room was our canvas. A space where creativity knew no limits, and the only rule was to explore, express, and enjoy the process.
Why is experimentation in early childhood so important?
Children are naturally curious, and by providing opportunities for open-ended exploration, we empower them to think critically, problem-solve, and develop confidence in their ideas. Experimentation fosters a growth mindset, one that values effort, resilience, and discovery over the fear of making mistakes. When children are encouraged to explore freely, they build essential life skills such as:
Sensory Development: Engaging in hands-on activities like painting with their bodies deepens sensory awareness and strengthens fine and gross motor skills.
Self-Expression: Providing an unrestricted creative space allows children to express emotions, thoughts, and ideas in ways that words sometimes cannot.
Collaboration and Social Skills: Shared experiences encourage teamwork, negotiation, and communication as children interact and build upon each other’s ideas.
Cognitive Growth: Experimentation challenges children to think critically, predict outcomes, and test hypotheses in a way that enhances cognitive flexibility.
Confidence and Independence: Allowing children to take ownership of their creative process fosters self-esteem and independence, as they learn that their ideas matter.
Links to Leading Early Childhood Pedagogies
Our approach to experimentation is inspired by several leading early childhood education philosophies:
Montessori Approach: Like Maria Montessori’s philosophy, we believe that children learn best through hands-on, self-directed exploration. By creating an environment where children can freely engage with materials, we foster independence, creativity, and a love for learning.
Reggio Emilia Approach: This pedagogy emphasizes the environment as the third teacher. Our ‘yes’ space aligns with Reggio Emilia’s belief in child-led, inquiry-based learning, where children express themselves through a hundred languages, including art, movement, and dramatic play.
Steiner Waldorf Education: Rooted in the philosophy of Rudolf Steiner, Waldorf education values sensory-rich experiences and artistic expression. Our approach encourages children to explore with their whole bodies, fostering imagination and holistic development.
The Curiosity Approach: This modern pedagogical movement encourages settings to be filled with authentic resources and open-ended materials, promoting deep thinking and independent discovery. By embracing experimentation, we align with this philosophy, allowing children to lead their own learning journeys.
Loose Parts Play: Inspired by various progressive early years philosophies, we encourage the use of loose parts and open-ended materials, allowing children to experiment with textures, shapes, and colors in an unrestricted manner.
The Magic of Open-Ended Exploration
Each age group and class experienced this creative process differently. While some children carefully painted their hands and feet methodically until they were entirely blue, others delighted in racing paint-drenched cars down ramps, eagerly observing the marks left behind. Some mixed all the colors together, fascinated by the unexpected hues they created. The beauty of open-ended exploration is that there is no right or wrong way to participate, every child’s experience is unique and valuable.
We are working to break down the stigma that paint should be limited to the end of a paintbrush. So, we leaned into the idea of children using their bodies as the tool to create art, without fear of messy hands, stained clothes, or rigid expectations. When we embrace mess as a vital part of learning, we create an environment where children feel free to take risks, experiment, and unleash their creativity without hesitation.
At our preschool in Dubai, we believe that open-ended exploration is a crucial part of early learning. By incorporating such experiences into our curriculum, we create a stimulating and dynamic learning environment for young minds, deeply inspired by the best early years pedagogies.
And we think the results speak for themselves.
How did we do?
We’d love to hear from you! How do you encourage experimentation in your learning environments? What unexpected discoveries have your children made through play? Let’s continue to celebrate the magic of open-ended, exploratory learning together at our Nursery in Dubai!