Friday, December 27, 2024
Enriching Education - Curiosity 2 Connect
Curiosity 2 Create has rebranded its Creative Teaching Network to Curiosity 2 Connect. Curiosity 2 Connect is designed to unite educators worldwide with dynamic tools like free monthly webinars, customizable lesson plans, and opportunities to engage in meaningful discussions with peers. The platform also offers a Premium Membership, providing access to an extensive library of resources, including accredited courses coming in 2025 and more.
You can learn more in this interview.
Why was Curiosity 2 Connect created?
Curiosity 2 Create was born from a deep desire to revolutionize how we think about learning and teaching. In an age where information is abundant but meaningful understanding often falls short, we recognized a glaring gap between the skills the world demands for success—like creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking—and what traditional education systems were equipping students to do. We saw an urgent need to rekindle the joy of discovery in classrooms while ensuring students were prepared for a rapidly changing future. It wasn’t just about fixing what wasn’t working—it was about reimagining education entirely, helping educators unlock their students’ potential by embracing hands-on, student-centered approaches. Curiosity 2 Create exists because we believe every child deserves to be a fearless thinker, and every educator deserves the tools and inspiration to bridge that skills gap and ignite a passion for learning.
How can it make a difference in classrooms?
Curiosity 2 Create, powered by the CREATE Method, turns classrooms into places where learning feels like an adventure, not a chore. Here’s how: Content Curators kick things off by encouraging students to embrace curiosity, ask big questions, and explore bold ideas—it’s like giving their brains permission to wander and wonder. Then comes Risk Facilitator, where they learn that mistakes aren’t scary monsters but stepping stones to awesome discoveries. Experience Navigators makes sure every lesson feels relevant and exciting, connecting schoolwork to real-world problems that actually matter.
From there, we dive into the social emotion aspect of Attitude Shifter, where we help students see challenges as opportunities and themselves as unstoppable learners. Once we address how we are individually unique it’s important to adventure into how we work as a group. That’s when we head into becoming Team Transformers and getting them collaborating, communicating, and innovating together (because let’s face it, life’s better with a little help from your friends). Then, we tie it all together with the Evaluation Designer by giving students time to think about what they’ve learned, how they’ve grown, and what’s next on their journey.
Using the CREATE Method, we help teachers and students take their existing curriculum and infuse it with curiosity, creativity, critical thinking, and connection. It’s not about starting from scratch—it’s about transforming what’s already there into something that sparks excitement and deeper learning. When lessons feel relevant and meaningful, engagement skyrockets, and along the way, students build empathy and resilience. It’s a win-win: energized classrooms and learners who are ready to tackle challenges with confidence and heart.
The CREATE Method isn’t just about checking boxes—it’s about transforming classrooms into spaces where creativity, critical thinking, and confidence thrive. It gives educators the tools to empower students, and it gives students the skills to tackle the future with grit, heart, and imagination. Fun? Check. Purposeful? Double-check. Life-changing? Absolutely.
Why is it a great resource for families as well?
The CREATE Method isn’t just for classrooms—it’s a game-changer for family life, too! Imagine your home as a space where curiosity, creativity, and connection thrive. It starts with curiosity: asking those endless “Why?” and “What if?” questions right alongside your kids. Instead of groaning when they ask why the sky is blue or why toast always lands butter-side down, dive into the exploration together. Wonder leads to discovery, and discovery leads to moments where learning feels meaningful and, dare I say, fun! The connection between asking simple questions and following up with, “That’s so interesting. Tell me more,” can ignite car pool rides or dinner table conversations.
But it doesn’t stop there. At home, risk-taking means celebrating effort over perfection—whether that’s baking a cake that deflates like a pancake or trying a new art project that ends with paint in places paint should never be. Teamwork shows up in family projects, from building a birdhouse to simply tackling a messy closet together. Incorporating strong individual attitudes sneaks in as you cheer each other on with, “Wow, look how far we’ve come!” instead of focusing on how far you have to go. And reflection? That’s the cherry on top—those heartwarming moments where you talk about what you’ve learned, what you’re proud of, and what wild ideas you’ll try next. The CREATE Method at home isn’t just about teaching kids—it’s about growing together as a family, one curious, creative, and meaningful moment at a time.
How can families encourage curiosity in their kids?
Curiosity is the spark that drives learning, creativity, and problem-solving—but like any fire, it needs fuel to keep burning. As parents and caregivers, you play a vital role in nurturing that spark at home. Encouraging curiosity isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about creating an environment where kids feel empowered to ask questions, explore new ideas, and dive into the unknown. Here are three simple and practical ways to make curiosity a cornerstone of your family life.
Ask Open-Ended Questions
Instead of giving all the answers, flip the script and ask questions that get your child thinking. For example, instead of explaining why the sky is blue, try asking, "What do you think makes the sky look that way?" This sparks curiosity and encourages them to explore their ideas.
Bonus tip: Make it a game to see who can come up with the most creative theory before looking up the answer together!
Create a "Wonder Wall"
Set up a space in your home where everyone can post questions or topics they’re curious about. It could be sticky notes on the fridge, a whiteboard, or even a digital app. Take time as a family to explore one or two of these "wonders" each week. Whether it’s through books, videos, or hands-on experiments, this simple practice keeps curiosity alive and makes learning a family adventure.
Bonus tip: This is a fantastic way to strengthen family bonds! By diving into what everyone in your family is curious about, you’ll uncover fascinating conversation starters and create a space where curiosity can flourish in every corner of your home. It’s a simple yet powerful way to spark meaningful connections and keep the wonder alive for everyone.
Model Your Own Curiosity
Kids learn by watching you, so let them see your curiosity in action! Share things you’re wondering about, get excited about discovering new things, and show that it’s okay not to know all the answers. For example, if you’re curious about a recipe, a DIY project, or how something works, invite your child to explore it with you. Curiosity is contagious—when they see you enjoying the process, they’ll want to join in!
Bonus Tip: Keep a journal or photo album as your discover new ides. This will allow you to not only create memories while learning but reflect on them. It is the ultimate win-win!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment