If your child has ever asked, “How do bees make honey?” or “Why do clouds float?” - you’re not alone. At Milestones Early Learning, we believe those curious little questions are the perfect starting point for real learning.
We know that starting school is a big step - for children and for families. That’s why everything we do in our School Readiness Program is designed to help your child feel confident, capable, and excited about learning.
One of the ways we do this is through inquiry-based projects, a key part of our Lifelong Learning Curriculum. These projects tap into your child’s interests and imagination, turning big questions into hands-on experiences that build the skills they’ll need for school - and life.
A Real-Life Example: The Buzz About Bees
One morning, a preschooler asked their teacher, “Miss Emma, how do bees make honey?”
Instead of jumping in with an answer, the teacher smiled and asked, “What do you think? What do we already know about bees?” And just like that, the class was off on a learning adventure.
Together, the children:
- Shared what they knew - some had seen bees buzzing around the veggie patch at home, others had tasted honey on toast for breakfast
- Drew pictures of bees and hives, then labelled their drawings
- Asked questions like “Do all bees make honey?” and “Where do they keep it?”
- Looked at books and videos with their educators to learn about queen bees, worker bees, and drones
- Sorted different types of bees using their new knowledge
- Created a big mural showing how bees collect nectar and store honey
What started as one child’s question turned into weeks of exploring, drawing, building, and discovering - while learning early science, maths, language, and social skills along the way.
That’s the beauty of inquiry-based learning. Children are engaged, proud of their work, and excited to learn more.
Why It Matters for School (and Life)
When we think about school readiness, we often focus on things like recognising letters or counting to ten. And while those things matter, there’s so much more to it.
Inquiry-based projects help children:
- Ask questions and explore ideas
- Share their thoughts with others
- Stick with a task and see it through
- Try new things and learn from mistakes
- Feel proud of their learning and confident in their abilities
These are the kinds of skills that help children settle into school more easily. We often hear from families and local teachers that children who’ve taken part in projects like these walk into the classroom ready to listen, join in, and take part with confidence.
“But Is My Child Ready for This?”
It’s completely normal to wonder whether your child is ready - especially if they’re still finding their voice or like to take their time.
The best part about inquiry-based learning is that it meets children exactly where they are.
Some children are eager to lead discussions and ask all the questions. Others prefer to listen, draw, build, or watch before joining in. And that’s okay. Our educators know how to gently guide each child in a way that feels natural and supportive.
When children feel safe, valued, and genuinely interested, their confidence grows - and that’s when the magic really happens.
Try It at Home
You don’t need anything fancy to bring this kind of learning into your own home. Try this simple activity next time your child asks a question:
- Write it down or draw it together
- Talk about what they already know
- Look up a picture, read a book, or watch a short video
- Ask, “What do you think would happen if…?” and keep the conversation going
You’ll be amazed at where one little question can lead.
Ready to Start Your Child’s School Readiness Journey?
At Milestones, our School Readiness Program helps 3–5-year-olds build confidence, independence, and a lifelong love of learning.
With a little help from our experienced educators, your child will become a curious, capable learner - ready to take on “big school” with pride.
Find your local Milestones centre and book a visit today. We’d love to show you how our learning environments and projects come to life.