SAIS IB-Montessori Combined Program ｜探究式学习：让孩子保持学习热情

Inquiry-based learning is an educational approach that emphasizes the role of questions, ideas, and analysis in learning. It is rooted in the belief that education should foster curiosity and the ability to seek out answers and solutions. Both the IB PYP and Montessori methodologies integrate this approach, encouraging children to explore, question, and connect with the material in an active and engaged manner.

In a combined Montessori and IB PYP environment, children are not passive recipients of knowledge. Instead, they are active participants in their learning journey. Montessori classrooms are known for their prepared environments, filled with hands-on materials that invite exploration and discovery. Similarly, the IB PYP framework encourages students to engage in units of inquiry that involve research, experimentation, and reflection. By integrating these approaches, children are provided with a wealth of opportunities to explore concepts deeply and from multiple perspectives.

A key aspect of inquiry-based learning is the cultivation of curiosity. Children are naturally curious, and both educational philosophies aim to harness this innate desire to learn and understand the world. Educators in a combined setting would pose open-ended questions, present real-world problems for investigation, and encourage students to formulate their own questions. This approach not only makes learning more engaging but also helps develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Inquiry-based learning places a strong emphasis on student-led exploration. This means that children have significant input into their learning topics and the direction of their inquiries. In a Montessori-IB PYP hybrid environment, educators would guide students to follow their interests within the framework of the curriculum, allowing them to take ownership of their learning process. This autonomy fosters a sense of responsibility and enhances motivation and engagement.

While inquiry-based learning can involve individual exploration, it also heavily emphasizes collaboration and social interaction. Students are encouraged to work together, share their discoveries, and learn from one another. This collaborative process not only enriches the learning experience but also helps students develop important social skills, such as communication, empathy, and teamwork.

Both Montessori and the IB PYP advocate for learning that is not confined to discrete subjects but is integrated across disciplines. Inquiry-based learning naturally lends itself to this interdisciplinary approach, as real-world problems and questions often span multiple areas of knowledge. By combining these educational philosophies, a kindergarten program can offer a holistic learning experience that connects concepts and skills across subject areas, making learning more meaningful and relevant.

Reflection is a critical component of inquiry-based learning. Students are encouraged to think about what they have learned, the process they went through, and what they might do differently next time. This reflective practice, which is emphasized in both Montessori and IB PYP curricula, helps students internalize their learning, develop metacognitive skills, and understand their own learning processes.

探究式学习是一种强调问题、想法和分析在学习中的作用的教育方法。它植根于这样一种信念，即教育应培养学生的好奇心以及寻找答案和解决方案的能力。国际文凭PYP和蒙台梭利教学法都融入了这种方法，鼓励孩子们积极主动地探索、质疑，并与教具建立联系。

在蒙台梭利和国际文凭的融合环境中，儿童不是知识的被动接受者。相反，他们是学习旅程的积极参与者。蒙台梭利教室以其准备充分的环境而著称，有很多动手操作的教具，吸引着孩子们去探索和发现。同样，国际文凭PYP框架鼓励学生参与涉及研究、实验和反思的探究单元。通过整合这些方法，可以为孩子们提供了大量深入、多角度探索概念的机会。

探究式学习的一个重要方面是培养好奇心。儿童天生好奇，这两种教育理念都利用了这种与生俱来的学习和了解世界的欲望。教育者在融合环境中会提出开放式的问题，提出关于现实世界中的问题供学生探究，并鼓励学生提出自己的问题。这种方法不仅使学习更有吸引力，还有助于培养批判性思维和解决问题的能力。

探究式学习非常强调学生主导的探索。这意味着孩子们对自己的学习主题和探究方向有很大的自主权。IB PYP-蒙台梭利融合环境中，教育者会引导学生在课程框架内追随自己的兴趣，让他们自主掌握学习过程。这种自主性不仅可以培养学生的责任感，还能提高学习动力和参与度。

虽然探究式学习涉及大量个人探索，但它也非常强调协作和社会互动。我们鼓励学生一起合作，分享他们的发现，并相互学习。这种合作过程不仅能丰富学习体验，还能帮助学生发展重要的社交技能，如沟通、换位思考和团队合作。

蒙台梭利和国际文凭PYP都认为学习不应局限于独立学科内容，而应覆盖交叉的跨学科内容。将这些教育理念结合起来，幼儿园课程就能提供一种全面的学习体验，将各学科领域的概念和技能联系起来，使学习更有意义和关联性。

反思是探究式学习的重要组成部分。我们鼓励学生思考他们学到了什么，他们经历了怎样的过程，以及他们下次可能会采取什么不同的做法。蒙台梭利和国际文凭PYP课程都强调这种反思性练习，它有助于学生内化所学知识，发展元认知技能，了解自己的学习过程。