It is an approach to teaching and learning through which children learn through the use of authentic resources, recycled materials and loose parts. We create a sense of awe and wonder for our children through the indoor and outdoor play spaces we create, giving them the opportunity to become inquisitive and capable learners.

The Curiosity Approach is influenced by 4 notable world early years pedagogies.

The first of these is The Reggio Emilia Approach - originating in a town in northern Italy this apporach see the environment as the 3rd teacher in early years. We do exactly that.

The second is the New Zealand curriculum Te Whariki. Specifically the curriculum strand of belonging. We identify very strongly with this. We believe each child, and each family, must have a defined feeling that they belong here at Three Bears.

The third influence is that of Steiner, and the children being at one with nature. Our children have opportunities for outdoor exploration each day whatever the weather. Our mindful educators are careful to incorporate the changing seasons and weather to create learning opportunities indoor and out.

The fourth influence is that of Maria Montessori Taken from this is incorporating the importance of routines and the rhythms of the day at nursery. A calm and consistent routine in early years, a sense of familiarty is so important to our young minds.

A loose part is a found object or material that the children can move, manipulate, control and change while they play. Loose parts are open ended, they offer open and infinite play possibilities to the baby, toddler or child possessing them. Children can carry them, combine them, redesign them, line them up, take them apart and put them back together again.

Here at the setting, we believe in starting with what the child can do, we place them at the centre of their learning and development. There is a well-known poem in the world of early years – ‘100 Languages of Children’, written by an Italian Pedagogue and early years teacher Loris Malaguzzi, the founder of the Reggio Emilia Approach (https://www.reggiochildren.it/en/reggio-emilia-approach/loris-malaguzzi/). It describes that children are made up of 100 languages, ways of expressing themselves, of doing, thinking, creating, moving and so on. It describes how in the adult world we can be dictatorial and suppress 99 of these – at Three Bears we endeavour to foster these 100 languages. It is one of my favourite points of reference when sharing with our team our ethos, what we want to get out of the children at Three Bears and how we want to help them to learn and develop.

We fill our environments at Three Bears with a plethora of many different loose parts as they promote giving children scope to access their 100 languages. I believe rather than giving a child a toy aeroplane, with only one identity – a toy aeroplane- you can give them paper and crayons, some bricks, cardboard boxes, tubes, play-dough or clay to name just a few open ended resources and materials; and if their current fascination or interest is aeroplanes then they will create their own from these loose parts and they will access deep level learning, engagement and critical thinking as they themselves have created and imagined within their own interests.

What loose parts and opportunities for open ended play do you children thrive from at home? In the garden? What can the children turn a stick or stone in the garden into? An old biscuit tin or set of pots and pans? A pain brush and some masking tape? Reflect on those endless possibilities...

Why do we choose neutral backdrops over the use of bright primary colours?

A stimulating environemnt to plau in and explore helps your child learn and grow. Sometimes too many activities and colour can add up to overstimulation. We choose to bring in colour through meaningful use of resources, art materials and colours in nature. This allows our babies, toddlers and children to focus on their activity or play of choice without the feeling of overwhelm or distraction.