Bermuda’s preschool students will become critical and independent thinkers through a new model of learning according to Llewellyn Simmons, the Director of Academics at the Ministry of Education.

The Early Childhood Inquiry Model, introduced by the ministry last year, aims to nurture an inquisitive mind from a young age and encourages students to ask questions about the world around them.

The model was presented last night by Dr Simmons and Sharon Speir, head of the Department of Education’s Early Childhood Education Section, as part of the Bermuda College Journal: Voices in Education Forum series at Bermuda College.

The model, a pedagogical framework that will shape how the designated curriculum is delivered in public schools, has been in operation in Bermuda for one year.

Dr Simmons said the model would build on traditionally didactic methods.

He told The Royal Gazette: “A key feature of the model is engaging our children in terms of their independent thinking, their critical thinking — having them ask questions and listening to their questions.

“So often teaching is top-down: you have adults telling children what to do.

“Children do arrive with some experiences, observed learnt experiences, but they are full of curiosity, so this is a model that predicates growth upon our children’s critical thinking, their ability to be independent learners, but also exploratory. We are talking about an emancipatory, pedagogical strategy; we turn it over to the learner, as these are not empty vessels. It is interactive and engaging and allows teachers to learn from the students’ perspective.”

Teacher training is taking place, with Dr Speir working throughout the public preschools in terms of implementation, and teachers are sharing the effectiveness of what they are doing.

Dr Simmons said that the model helps to empower students.

“It is more than just imparting skill,” he said. “It is about empowering children and, to do that, you have got to engage them. We want to produce children who are citizens who ask critical and informed questions, and understand the type of question they are asking. In the long term, we want those citizens who are innovative thinkers and doers, and are not dependent on others.

“As persons who are engaged in the field [myself and Dr Speir], this emanates from our own beliefs in education.

“Both of us believe in the philosophy behind the role that inquiry plays.

“Are you going to accept everything at face value or question?”