Inquiry Learning in Play Spaces

This video gives a great look into Leah Partridge’s kindergarten classroom, where play-based and inquiry-driven learning are at the heart of everything. Inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach, Leah builds her lessons around what her students are curious about, like figuring out why boats float or watching flowers change color in dyed water. Her classroom is set up to spark exploration, with different areas for hands-on learning, and she encourages kids to express their ideas through writing, even if it’s not perfect. For teachers interested in inquiry-based learning, this video is a helpful and down-to-earth example of how to let student interests guide meaningful, developmentally appropriate learning while still meeting curriculum goals.