Inquiry Project - Outline

You will complete the following outline as to begin brainstorming and compiling evidence for your inquiry
project. Once you are finished, you will post your outline to your blog.

Inquiry Question:
 Write the inquiry question you will be exploring.

How does play-based learning foster creativity and problem-solving skills in children?

Reasoning:
 Write a few sentences explaining why you chose that inquiry question. Explain what interests you
about that aspect of child development.

I personally never thought about how much we learn and grow from play, the experiences and things we
learn from different toys help us problem solve later. The longing affects our most favorite toy has on us
and how attached we can become to it. How does the attachment grow? How does toys make our brain
function and process them at such a young age? How do infants think about toys compared to myself and
other highschoolers? How did it change over time and as we grew older?

Evidence:
 Identify 2-3 pieces of evidence that will help you answer your inquiry question.
o Summarize what the evidence is saying in relation to your inquiry question.
 Keep track of your sources. Write the title of the website, journal, article, or magazine and
copy/paste the link of the resource in the “Resource” section of the chart below.

Evidence Resource
1. Children are naturally motivated to play. A Play-based learning can set your
play-based program builds on this child up for success at school and
motivation, using play as a context for beyond (theconversation.com)
learning. In this context, children can explore,
experiment, discover and solve problems in
imaginative and playful ways.
2. According to a research study conducted in 2012, the Importance of Play-Based Learning
benefits of play-based learning on healthy child in Child Development - STEMpedia
 development are numerous. it contributes to the (thestempedia.com)
cognitive, physical, social, and emotional well-being of
children. It states that learning through play enhances
the progress of early development from 33% to 67% by
increasing adjustment, improving language and reducing
social and emotional problems. The same research
quotes play therapist O. Fred Donaldson as well who
claims that the children who have been allowed to
develop play resources receive many enduring
advantages. They develop a universal learning skill
through constructive play. Play-based learning
maximizes their potential by developing creativity and
imagination. It promotes joy, which is essential for self-
esteem and mental well-being. The learning process is
self-sustained based as it is on a natural love of learning
and playful engagement with life.
3. Play and Problem Solving – The
Play is what helps children learn about solving Power of Play
problems. In the beginning, infants learn to use (bostonchildrensmuseum.blog)
their bodies in a way that helps them
manipulate objects. They may make accidental
discoveries, such as hitting a button that makes
a toy play music. However, over time they will
learn that they themselves made the toy play
music, and they become able to intentionally
perform these actions. Children learn cause and
effect relationships, how to manipulate objects,
and develop critical thinking skills.

Activities:
 Come up with three activities that you would complete with your buddy. You must have one activity
that is geared towards literacy (reading/writing), one towards numeracy (math), and one craft. All
activities must be age appropriate. Remember that your buddies is in between 5 and 6 years old,
which means they cannot compete complex math or reading activities.
 Complete the chart below with the following information:
o Explanation – Explain the activity step-by-step and how you would complete it.
o Supplies – List all the supplies/materials that you would need for the activity/craft.

Activity Explanation Supplies

1. Literacy Write about some of their favorite toy’s. Paper and pencil
Draw the toys and explain why (as best as possible). Some markers
To number out which are their most favorite and which are
 least.
Focus on some of their favorites later on and compare and
contrast to their least favorite ones.

2. Numeracy A game with number blocks where the infant must put all the Numbered colored
numbers from biggest to smallest, each number they figure blocks (could be
out we get to ask each other one question. Level two could be drawn),
some addition and subtractions, or making up patterns by Paper
color to see what color they attract to most. Markers
stickers
3. Craft Colored paper
Build their own favorite toy, used colored paper to create their Googly eyes
own dream toy, googly eyes etc. Once constructed the infant Markers + pencils
can explain why they added each part in their own words and Scissors, fun scissors
why it would be their dream toy. Glue
Reg paper