Learning begins with curiosity. In our Early Years Centre, inquiry drives every aspect of the classroom experience. Our youngest learners are empowered to ask questions, investigate ideas, and make sense of the world through exploration and authentic experiences.

As part of our ongoing unit of inquiry, “How We Organise Ourselves,” our K2 children visited IKEA to extend their learning through real-world exploration. The visit connected directly to their classroom investigations into organisation, symbols, and design – bringing their IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) inquiries vividly to life.

The visit supported several ongoing inquiry projects. The Pillow Shop Group explored the forms and functions of different pillows, considering how design affects comfort and purpose. The Symbol Group investigated how symbols are used in the store to guide and organise people, exploring the concepts of communication and connection, as well as reflecting on how similar ideas could help everyone navigate shared spaces in our own Early Years community. The Skyways Group observed how a restaurant is set up and organised, focusing on how space, roles, and systems work together efficiently. Inspired by what they saw, they designed their own “Skyways Restaurant.”

Throughout the trip, the children acted as inquirers – asking questions, making observations, and collecting information. They also used their creative thinking skills to make connections between what they experienced at IKEA and their own project ideas. This hands-on approach exemplified our school strategy of Student Voice and Student Choice, allowing students to take the lead in how and what they learned.

The IKEA visit also reflected another cornerstone of our learning strategy: Burst the Bubble, which encourages students to step beyond the familiar. By engaging with people, symbols, and designs in a real-world setting, our K2 learners expanded their understanding of how communities work and how ideas move from imagination to creation.

Every question asked, every observation made, and every sketch drawn was a step toward developing confidence, curiosity, and independence – the foundation of lifelong learning at NIS!