Leaning in to Inquiry: The Story of a Ladybug

Photo by Freepik

As I write this, I am sitting outside of a cafe in British Columbia, Canada visiting my sister and my new niece. 6 months old is such a special age for inquiry!! But that is not what I came to write about....

Right in front of me there is a group of children around 7-9 years old. School finished last week, so this must be some sort of city-run kids camp. They are doing the typical go outside with a clipboard and draw things that are living and non-living. A beautiful space for inquiry in a small city square park.

I couldn't help but notice the exciting statements and questions coming from these children. "a spider," "what about this leaf?" "a baby ladybug!" "A ladybug is on my hand!" Unfortunately this is where things took a turn.

This small group of children were so intrigued by what this ladybug was doing. They were so excited that they called the leader of the cop over to see it. Immediately, she took it from them and blew it away.

Oof.

My inquiry-loving heart just sank.

"Focus on your paper."
"Five more minutes!"
"What's on your paper?"

When the five minutes were up, I learned that it is an art class. What a missed opportunity. Looking and drawing what was up close and personal about this lady bug. The movement of the wings. The colours you didn't notice before. The patterns on the wings and body. How many legs does she have? Can you see her eyes? Does she have antenna? 

Currently, they are still packing up to leave. The same small groups of students are following ladybugs all around me. Wanting to explore these living creatures around them. They are now discussing if it is a baby or not, and who may have possibly stepped on it. Examining it closely. So curious. So inspired. Time to go! Grab your jackets and put your clipboards and pencils in the wagon. (and then I still hear the words... "there's a grasshopper over there!!)

Now, I have been an after school/summer camp leader and teacher for the vast majority of my life. I know there are time structures, limits, purposes of these camps, etc. But that doesn't change how a piece of my heart begins to break when I see these opportunities for diving in. Forgetting what the objective of the day was and not deviating. Even just for a few minutes.

One thing I ask of you - try to notice the times you may be limiting an opportunity for inquiry. Just notice. When you notice, decide what to do in the moment. Maybe the first few times it is just a reflection. Maybe you realize it afterwards. Oops - they could have taken a lot of new learning from their excitement in that moment. Then think about how you might react next time. Slowly build the change in your practice. Could we take a few minutes to explore that ladybug up close and personal?

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