Does School Harm a Child’s Curiosity? And What Can We Do About It? An Honest Discussion with Eight Kindergarten Teachers from V?sukese Kindergarten

In today’s fast-paced educational environment, there is growing concern that traditional schooling may stifle a child’s natural curiosity. To explore this issue, I spoke with eight dedicated kindergarten teachers from V?sukese Kindergarten. Our conversation revealed insightful strategies and challenges that highlight the importance of early childhood education in fostering independent thinkers.

?

What Does a Day in Your Classroom Look Like?

?“Depends on the day; sometimes it can be messy, and other times it’s more structured. On some days, the children are more cooperative. On other days, they just want to play what they want and not be disturbed. It’s important to have routines in the morning, like circle time, to set the tone for the day.”

?

When You Say Your Classroom Can Be Messy, What Do You Mean?

?“The children can sometimes be very overactive—they can be running around and talking way more than usual, making it difficult to get their attention.”

?

Is the Above Experience Common for Anyone Else as Well?

?“Yes, sometimes the children are more interested in playing. In such cases, we go outside and try to integrate learning through play. The main thing is that children are engaged and curious, and play can help with this.”

?

What Strategies Do You Use for Children Who Are Disruptive or Not Engaged?

?“Stress balls can be useful, and we also introduce deep breathing exercises. For example, we give children the opportunity to look out of the window and watch the clouds. There is no one right solution; whatever works for the child.”

?

How Important Is Kindergarten for Preparing the Child for School?

?“In Estonia, I think parents very much count on the kindergarten, but it should be more like working together. The first question parents ask is whether the children will study school-based material, like worksheets. Not all parents understand the importance of play and the benefits of learning through games. Learning is not just about sitting at the table and writing in a book. For some parents, it’s very strange to realise that we are helping the children learn through games instead of worksheets.”

??

Are There Any Difficulties for the Children When They Transition from Kindergarten to School?

?“We notice children from our kindergarten tend to be more curious, active, and vocal in a school setting.”

?

Do You Ever Worry Children Might Lose Their Curiosity When They Leave School?

?“Yes, we worry that school doesn’t teach children to think outside of the box. Our concern is that children finish school with a ‘school mindset’ rather than a ‘think outside of the box’ mindset.”

?

What Do You Do in This Kindergarten That Makes Children Independent, Out-of-the-Box Thinkers?

?“We encourage children to at least try to do things on their own. If children want to engage in an activity, our role as teachers is to facilitate and guide them into thinking about what they need to complete the activity. We give them the responsibility to choose and explore their curiosity, to follow whatever they want to do. We just have to make sure it’s safe and they don’t hurt themselves, but mainly they do everything by themselves.”

?

Is It Ever Tempting to Want to Do Things for the Children and Step in to Help Them?

?“It was difficult at the beginning. But right now, we have faith that the children can engage in so many activities on their own.”

?

How Can Schools Be More Like This Kindergarten, Helping Children to Be Independent Thinkers?

?“Currently it’s difficult in schools, teachers can’t be too creative with activities because there are strict rules on what the child needs to achieve by the 7th, 8th, 9th grade, etc. Also, grades create the opportunity for comparison, which can be harmful to a child’s self-esteem. We believe this makes children focus on getting a good result rather than doing things because they interest them.”

?

What Is a Different System That You Would Propose Instead of Focusing on Testing?

?“We need to move away from knowledge acquisition and instead focus on skills and what type of people we want children to become. Some schools don’t use grades; instead, they describe the skills the student has learned.”

?

If You Were a Headteacher, What Skill Development Would You Focus on in Your School?

?“Social skills, emotional skills, teamwork, and creativity.”

?

Why Do You Think Some Parents Don’t Prioritise the Development of Social Skills within their children?

?“Some parents want their children to attain materialistic items and to do that, they need to do particular jobs in society that require particular grades. Also, when the children’s parents were in school, grades were a very important metric for success. Now, the parents are expecting the same thing.”

?

With the Rise of Technology, e.g., AI and ChatGPT, What Will the School/Kindergarten/Education System Look Like in 20-30 Years in Your Opinion?

?“We think the emotional and social realms of life will become more important as people crave human experiences. Therefore, the role of kindergarten will remain crucial in developing social and emotional skills in children. Furthermore, as technology advances, parents’ expectations may become even stronger.”

?

Conclusion

The insights from V?sukese Kindergarten highlight a critical need for educational reform. By prioritising curiosity, creativity, and social skills over rote learning and standardised testing, we can cultivate a generation of innovative and resilient thinkers. Schools should consider integrating more play-based and student-led learning approaches to nurture these essential skills. As we look to the future, the role of educators will be pivotal in shaping an adaptive and empathetic society.

?

TLDR

The meeting with V?sukese Kindergarten teachers revealed that a typical day varies with structured activities and free play. Teachers adapt to children's needs, often teaching through games and activities that interest the children. Disruptive or disengaged children are managed with stress balls and breathing strategies. The teachers emphasised the importance of kindergarten in preparing children for school, focusing on social skills and independence. They also expressed concerns about the transition from kindergarten to school, fearing that children might lose their curiosity and independent thinking. The teachers suggested that schools could benefit from adopting a more creative, less test-focused approach similar to their kindergarten.