Have you ever heard of inquiry-based learning?

July 18, 2025

What Is Inquiry-Based Learning in Preschool? A Parent’s Guide


Have you ever watched your child get completely lost in a question? Whether they’re asking why the moon follows the car, how bugs sleep, or what would happen if cats could talk, that spark of curiosity is powerful. In early childhood education, we call that the beginning of inquiry, and it can be one of the most meaningful paths to learning.

Inquiry-based learning is an approach to education that starts with a child’s natural curiosity. Instead of following a strict lesson plan, the teacher becomes a guide, encouraging exploration, asking thoughtful questions, and helping children investigate the world around them. This style of child-led learning is especially effective in preschool, when children are full of wonder and eager to explore.

So what does inquiry-based learning actually look like in a preschool classroom? And why are so many modern parents looking for programs that embrace this approach? Let’s break it down.

What Is Inquiry-Based Learning?

At its core, inquiry-based learning is a teaching method that puts questions, investigation, and discovery at the heart of the learning process. Instead of giving children answers, teachers help them ask better questions and support them in finding those answers through hands-on exploration.

In a preschool setting, that might look like:

  • A child wondering how rain forms and creating a water cycle experiment.
  • A small group of children obsessed with building bridges out of blocks, leading to a deeper exploration of engineering concepts and practice of fine motor skills.
  • A classroom noticing a caterpillar on the playground and deciding to observe it every day, documenting its transformation.

Each of these examples begins with a genuine question or interest from the child. From there, the teacher helps turn that spark into a meaningful, multi-sensory learning experience. It’s real, it’s engaging, and it’s how children learn best.

See child-led learning in action.

How Is It Different from Traditional Teaching?

In traditional models, the teacher decides what to teach, when to teach it, and how. Children are expected to follow along, often working on the same activity at the same time. While there’s structure, it can sometimes leave little room for flexibility or individual interest.

Inquiry-based learning flips that model.

It’s not chaotic. There’s still structure, planning, and intention behind every activity, but the learning starts with the child’s questions. It’s about creating an environment where curiosity is welcomed, not rushed past.

At Little Sunshine’s Playhouse, we follow a Reggio Emilia-inspired curriculum, which fully embraces this type of child-led learning. We believe every child is capable, curious, and full of potential, and our classrooms are designed to support that mindset.

Why Inquiry-Based Learning Works So Well for Preschoolers

Preschool-aged children are naturally wired to explore. Their brains are developing rapidly, and they learn best when they’re actively engaged, not passively listening.

Here’s why inquiry-based learning is such a powerful fit for early childhood:

🌱 1. It Supports Deeper Learning

When a child asks a question and discovers the answer on their own, it sticks. Instead of memorizing facts, they’re learning how to think critically, solve problems, and make connections.

💬 2. It Builds Communication Skills

Inquiry-based classrooms are filled with conversation between children and teachers, and among peers. Children learn to articulate their ideas, listen to others, and collaborate on shared goals.

🎨 3. It Encourages Creativity

There’s no one right way to explore a question. Children can draw, build, write, role-play, or experiment. This freedom nurtures creativity and allows for a wide range of learning styles.

❤️ 4. It Builds Confidence and Independence

When children are encouraged to follow their interests and make decisions about their learning, they feel capable and empowered. That confidence carries into kindergarten and beyond.

This little boy is enjoying our play-based curriculum!

What Inquiry-Based Learning Looks Like at Little Sunshine’s Playhouse

At Little Sunshine’s Playhouse, inquiry isn’t an occasional activity. It’s woven into the fabric of each day. Our teachers are trained to observe children closely, listen to their questions, and design learning experiences that grow from those questions in thoughtful, age-appropriate ways.

A few examples you might see in our classrooms:

  • Thematic investigations that evolve over time, like a deep dive into space exploration sparked by one child’s question about the stars.
  • Documentation walls where children’s ideas, questions, and learning progress are displayed, helping them revisit their thinking and take pride in their discoveries.
  • Classrooms filled with open-ended materials that invite exploration, like magnifying glasses, natural objects, art supplies, and building tools.
  • Project-based learning that involves the whole class, from planting a garden to building a pretend grocery store to learning about animals around the world.

Each of these moments is grounded in the principles of inquiry-based and child-led learning, where children are active participants in their education, not passive observers.

Inquiry based learning is only possible with the help of amazing teachers!

What Parents Should Know When Choosing a Preschool

If you’re researching preschools, you’re probably coming across terms like play-based, Montessori, Reggio Emilia, and inquiry-based learning. It can be overwhelming, but the key is to look at how each school supports your child’s natural development.

Here are a few questions relating to curriculum and school philosophy to ask on a preschool tour:

  • How do teachers respond when a child asks a question?
  • Do children get to choose what they work on during the day?
  • Are there opportunities for open-ended exploration and creative expression?
  • How are projects or interests documented and extended?
  • How does the school encourage curiosity and independent thinking?

The answers to these questions can help you determine whether a school embraces child-led learning or relies more on a one-size-fits-all model.

Letting Children Lead with Curiosity

Your child’s earliest learning experiences lay the foundation for how they’ll approach school—and life—for years to come. When you choose a preschool that supports inquiry-based learning, you’re choosing a place where your child’s questions matter. Where they’re encouraged to be curious, creative, and confident. Where their voice is heard.

At Little Sunshine’s Playhouse, we believe in nurturing every child’s natural sense of wonder. Through our Reggio Emilia-inspired, inquiry-based approach, we empower children to explore the world in meaningful, joyful ways, one question at a time.

Ready to see inquiry-based learning in action?

Schedule a tour at your nearest Little Sunshine’s Playhouse and discover how we turn curiosity into confidence every single day.

 

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