Children & Play Inquiry Project

“When children are fully engaged in their play, their activity and learning is integrated across developmental
domains. They seek out challenges that can be accomplished… through play, children learn trust, empathy, and
social skills” (Pascal).

Play is a child’s work. Play is important for children’s development and for children to bond. Throughout the
semester, you will explore an inquiry question that is related to the social, emotional, physical, or cognitive
development of a child between the ages of four to six. Once a week you will have the opportunity to engage
with your Kindergarten/Grade 1 Baker Drive buddy. Throughout your time with your buddy, you will get to know
them as well as observe their development, which will help with your inquiry question.

You want to choose an inquiry question that you are interested in exploring. I will provide you with some sample
inquiry questions that you can choose from if you are stuck, but I encourage you to create your own question that
you are eager to explore. The sample inquiry questions that are provided explore play as it is one of the best ways
for children to learn as they investigate and observe themselves and others through play. Once you have
created your question, please come and see me for approval prior to moving forward.

Additionally, you will be creating a blog for your inquiry project, which you will use to showcase your progress
as you explore your inquiry question throughout the semester. Your blog will be the central place for each aspect
of your inquiry project. By creating a blog, it will also give you the opportunity to share your inquiry project with
your classmates and receive feedback throughout.

You will find all of the information and supporting documents that you need for your inquiry project on my
blog using the link provided below. Additionally, I will be posting links to each of your blogs on my blog so that
you have access to the rest of your classmates’ inquiry project to provide them with feedback.
• https://childdevelopmentinquiry.weebly.com/

What is inquiry? What makes a good inquiry question?

Inquiry based learning is a form of active
learning that starts by students posing
questions, problems, or scenarios rather
than simply presenting established facts. It is
meant to activate a student’s curiosity and
investigation into a certain topic.
Your inquiry question should investigate an
aspect of a child’s development that
intrigues you. You will then gather and
analyze evidence (research and observations
of your buddy) to propose a potential answer
to your inquiry question.
Below are some guidelines to follow when thinking about your
inquiry question.
Good inquiry questions…
• …are open to research, which means that you should be able
to find some answers to the question by doing research.
• …are questions that you do not already know the answer to or
have not already decided on the answer before doing your
research.
• …may have multiple possible answers. They should not have a
simple “yes” or “no” answer.
• …have a clear focus. Your question should be direct and
specific. Try not to be too broad.
• …are reasonable. You should use credible
information/websites to research your question.
 Sample Inquiry Questions
1. How do young children make sense of
their world through different forms of
play?
2. How is play connected to a young child’s
learning?
3. How does play influence social
development in young children?
4. Do boys learn differently than girls
through play activities?
5. What impact does play have on fine motor
skill development in young children?
6. How does play impact self-regulation in
young children?
7. How does play influence emotional
development in young children?
8. What impact does play have on gross
motor skill development in young
children?
9. How does play increase cognitive
development in young children?
10. How does play increase memory in a young
child?
11. How can educators use questions to
facilitate learning through play?

Inquiry Project Scope & Sequence

Below is an overview of your inquiry project and the different components that it will include. You will be
given specific instructions and tasks for each one throughout the semester.

1. Choose your inquiry question.

2. Create and set up your blog that you will use for the remainder of the semester.
3. Complete an inquiry project outline describing your question, why you chose it, and preliminary
research.
4. Find evidence that supports your inquiry question.
• You will be given time periodically throughout the semester to research.
5. Each week you will observe how your buddy develops socially, emotionally, physically, and
cognitively as you participate in different activities and tasks with them.
• You will be asked to reflect on your experience with your buddy at different points.
6. At the end of the semester, you will present your findings to the class.