RE-RUN of a popular episode: You became a teacher to light a fire in kids — not to tick boxes. But somewhere along the way, the curriculum took over, the kids started zoning out, and you're left wondering if there's a better way.

Spoiler: there is.

In this episode we talk about why curiosity isn't just a lovely classroom add-on anymore — in a world where AI can write, calculate and analyse faster than any of us, it may be the most important skill we can nurture in our students.

We cover:

• What educators are really struggling with right now (you are not alone)
• Why kids who only know how to memorise and recall are already being left behind
• The human skills AI can't replicate — and how to start building them
• How to bring curiosity into your classroom without overhauling everything you do

Plus grab the free Curiosity Bundle — 10 plug-and-play curiosity starters, a short e-guide, and a ready-to-go integrated lesson plan. Download both below:

🆓 Download the FREE e-guide How to Nurture Natural Curiosity HERE

🆓 Download your FREE lesson plan HERE

✨ If you value curiosity, deep learning, and hands-on teaching, don’t forget to subscribe and follow for weekly inspiration.

✍️ Sign up to Get Curious, the inspirational weekly newsletter for curious parents and educators HERE

💌Connect with Edwina:

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blooming_curious/

Website: https://www.bloomingcurious.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bloomingcurious

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@edsbloomingcurious

☕️ If you like my work and want to encourage me to keep going you can do so by Buying me a Coffee. Any contribution will be gratefully received and will certainly give me the kick I need to keep going.☕️

00:00 The Struggles of Modern Teaching

00:19 Survey Results: Teachers' Frustrations

01:23 The Turning Point in Education

02:00 The Importance of Curiosity in the Age of AI

03:35 Introducing the Curiosity Bundle

04:23 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

Are bright colours and fast-paced screens harming your child's development? In this episode, we take a close look at what the research says about children's media, classroom colour, and why beauty matters more than we think.

There's a reason the old Disney films, the gentle pace of Heidi and Little House on the Prairie, and those exquisite hand-illustrated picture books felt so different from what children are watching today.

Studies show that just nine minutes of fast-paced cartoons can measurably impair a four-year-old's ability to focus, self-regulate, and solve problems. And it's not only screens — research on classroom environments finds that heavily decorated spaces with competing bright colours actually lower children's academic performance and increase disruptive behaviour.

Whether you're a parent, an educator, or both — this one will make you look at your child's environment differently.

🔗 Links and research mentioned:

• The Substack article that sparked this conversation: The Colours of Childhood: Bauhaus, Crayola and the History of the Ugly Primary
• Blogpost and FREE download - How to Create An Inspiring Indoor Learning Environment
• Lillard & Peterson (2011), published in Pediatrics — fast-paced TV and executive function in 4-year-olds
• Fisher et al. (2014) — classroom decoration and children's academic performance
• PMC study on colourful play surfaces and preschooler disruption (Ksantini-Hovev & Sebba)

🆓 Download the FREE e-guide How to Nurture Natural Curiosity HERE

✨ If you value curiosity, deep learning, and hands-on teaching, don’t forget to subscribe and follow for weekly inspiration.

✍️ Sign up to Get Curious, the inspirational weekly newsletter for curious parents and educators HERE

💌Connect with Edwina:

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blooming_curious/

Website: https://www.bloomingcurious.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bloomingcurious

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@edsbloomingcurious

☕️ If you like my work and want to encourage me to keep going you can do so by Buying me a Coffee. Any contribution will be gratefully received and will certainly give me the kick I need to keep going.☕️

00:00 From Bambi to Bright Noise

00:52 Why Beauty Matters

01:11 When Childhood Looked Softer

01:57 How We Got Garish

03:18 Fast Screens and Focus

04:25 Cocomelon vs Calm Stories

05:21 Color Overload in Classrooms

06:56 Muted Tones and Calm Minds

07:18 Beauty as a Necessity

08:40 Create Calmer Spaces

09:13 Subscribe and Farewell

Are your students refusing to start? Struggling to focus? Disinterested in learning?

In this episode, we explore a powerful but often overlooked truth: lack of focus is often a lack of curiosity.

Instead of choosing between structure (classical education) and engagement (inquiry learning), what if the real solution is combining both?

In today’s conversation, I break down:

• Why children disengage in the first place
• How Classical education and Inquiry-based learning actually complement each other
• How to spark curiosity without creating chaos
• Practical strategies for K–2 teachers to increase focus and participation

If you're tired of behaviour charts, constant reminders, or children refusing to do the work — this episode will give you a calmer, more effective way forward.

🔗 Sign up for the mini course Curiosity Without Chaos

🔗 Read the blog post HERE

🆓 Download the FREE e-guide How to Nurture Natural Curiosity HERE

✨ If you value curiosity, deep learning, and hands-on teaching, don’t forget to subscribe and follow for weekly inspiration.

✍️ Sign up to Get Curious, the inspirational weekly newsletter for curious parents and educators HERE

💌Connect with Edwina:

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blooming_curious/

Website: https://www.bloomingcurious.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bloomingcurious

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@edsbloomingcurious

☕️ If you like my work and want to encourage me to keep going you can do so by Buying me a Coffee. Any contribution will be gratefully received and will certainly give me the kick I need to keep going.☕️

00:00 Why Kids Disengage: It’s Not Laziness, It’s Lost Curiosity

02:05 Traditional vs Classical vs Inquiry: What’s Missing When We Separate Them

02:51 The Sweet Spot: Combining Classical Structure + Inquiry to Ignite Focus

04:12 6 Steps to Spark Curiosity (1–2): Rich Content & Ask Before You Tell

05:03 6 Steps (3–4): Teach Explicitly After the Spark + Keep Tasks Purposeful

06:06 6 Steps (5–6): Protect Cognitive Load & Build Focus with Narration

07:12 Wrap-Up + ‘Curiosity Without Chaos’ Framework & Final Thanks

Feeling like your students have lost curiosity and focus?

If you’ve been noticing more disengaged students, shorter attention spans, and a lack of enthusiasm for learning, you’re not imagining it.

In this episode of Blooming Curious, I’m sharing what I’ve seen change over my 14+ years teaching early childhood, and the exact strategies I use to re-engage children, spark curiosity, and bring learning back to life — without adding more to your workload.

Because here’s the truth: Most children aren’t “naughty” or disengaged on purpose. They want to succeed. They want to please. So if they’re switched off, something deeper is going on.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

✅ Why many children struggle with curiosity and focus more than ever before

✅ The difference between passive learning and active learning

✅ Why hands-on learning is the missing ingredient for engagement

✅ How to use a simple “hook” to instantly pull children into learning

✅ How to plan curiosity-led learning without overwhelm

✨ Want to learn how to do this consistently?

🔗 Sign up for the mini course Curiosity Without Chaos

🆓 Download the FREE e-guide How to Nurture Natural Curiosity HERE

✨ If you value curiosity, deep learning, and hands-on teaching, don’t forget to subscribe and follow for weekly inspiration.

✍️ Sign up to Get Curious, the inspirational weekly newsletter for curious parents and educators HERE

💌Connect with Edwina:

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blooming_curious/

Website: https://www.bloomingcurious.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bloomingcurious

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@edsbloomingcurious

☕️ If you like my work and want to encourage me to keep going you can do so by Buying me a Coffee. Any contribution will be gratefully received and will certainly give me the kick I need to keep going.☕️

00:00 Why Kids Seem Disengaged (and What You Can Do About It)

01:16 The Big Shift: Hands-On Learning Beats Passive Screens

02:31 Strategy #1: Ditch the Worksheet Default—Make Learning Memorable

04:45 Strategy #2: Use a Curiosity Hook to Pull Them In

06:06 Strategy #3: Keep It Simple—Engagement Without Extra Work

06:37 Curiosity Without Chaos: Mini Course + Resources & Next Steps

08:02 Wrap-Up: Stay Curious (Subscribe & See You Next Time)

Teaching kindergarten is a little bit like herding cats… but this week gave me two moments that reminded me why curiosity-based learning works.

In this episode, I’m sharing a real behind-the-scenes reflection from my first week back teaching kindergarten, and how two small moments (acorns + a daytime moon!) turned into powerful inquiry opportunities.

We talk about:

If you teach early years and you want to keep children engaged without worksheets, pressure, or overwhelm, this episode will give you practical inspiration you can use immediately.

✨ Want to learn how to do this consistently?

🔗 Sign up for the mini course Curiosity Without Chaos

🆓 Download the FREE e-guide How to Nurture Natural Curiosity HERE

✨ If you value curiosity, deep learning, and hands-on teaching, don’t forget to subscribe and follow for weekly inspiration.

✍️ Sign up to Get Curious, the inspirational weekly newsletter for curious parents and educators HERE

💌Connect with Edwina:

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blooming_curious/

Website: https://www.bloomingcurious.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bloomingcurious

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@edsbloomingcurious

☕️ If you like my work and want to encourage me to keep going you can do so by Buying me a Coffee. Any contribution will be gratefully received and will certainly give me the kick I need to keep going.☕️

00:00 Introduction and First Week Back

00:41 Avoiding a Rookie Mistake

01:24 Joyful Moments with Acorns

04:01 Curiosity About the Moon

05:03 Encouraging Everyday Curiosity

06:07 Conclusion and Next Steps

06:58 Closing Remarks and Call to Action

Ep 100 Feeling overwhelmed by curriculum demands and struggling to make time to plan rich, deep learning experiences?

In this episode, I’m sharing the exact planning approach I use to reduce curriculum overwhelm, save hours of planning time, and create integrated learning experiences that truly engage children.

You’ll discover:

• How to stop curriculum overwhelm and reduce planning stress
• Why comparison is making teaching harder than it needs to be
• How to use picture books to plan integrated, cross-curricular lessons
• How to create deep learning experiences without worksheets
• How to assess learning through observation (and save time)
• Why slowing down leads to better learning and less burnout

If you’re a primary teacher, early childhood educator, or homeschool parent looking for a simpler, deeper way to plan lessons, this episode will help you rethink how you plan — and give you permission to go slower, deeper, and enjoy teaching again.

🔗 Get the Me on the Map lesson plan HERE.

🔗 Get the observation and record keeping template here: https://bloomingcurious.com/b/observation-and-record-keeping-template-for-educators

🔗 Read about the research into picture books here: https://bloomingcurious.com/blog/post/teaching-k-2-curriculum-with-picture-books

✨ If you value curiosity, deep learning, and hands-on teaching, don’t forget to subscribe and follow for weekly inspiration.

✍️ Sign up to Get Curious, the inspirational weekly newsletter for curious parents and educators HERE

💌Connect with Edwina:

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blooming_curious/

Website: https://www.bloomingcurious.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bloomingcurious

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@edsbloomingcurious

☕️ If you like my work and want to encourage me to keep going you can do so by Buying me a Coffee. Any contribution will be gratefully received and will certainly give me the kick I need to keep going.☕️

00:00 Introduction: Overcoming Overwhelm in Lesson Planning

00:39 The Comparison Trap and Finding a Mentor

03:48 Integrating Lessons with Picture Books

04:11 The Cognitive Benefits of Reading to Children

06:20 Strategic Use of Picture Books in Lesson Planning

08:18 Deep Learning Through Repetition and Hands-On Activities

13:27 Effective Assessment Beyond Worksheets

15:39 Recap and Final Thoughts

17:45 Introducing the 'Me on the Map' Lesson Plan

20:12 Conclusion and Upcoming Plans

Ep 99 A common struggle teachers face with resource overload and the misconception that more resources equate to better teaching. The core issue is often a lack of clarity, not a lack of resources. By understanding and harnessing curiosity, educators can turn everyday moments into meaningful learning experiences without the need for constant new materials. Curiosity Without Chaos is a framework that helps educators plan with confidence, use fewer materials, and keep students genuinely engaged. Listen to learn why trusting yourself and focusing on student curiosity, rather than buying resources can transform your teaching experience.

🔗 Links:

Sign up for Curiosity Without Chaos - a mini professional framework for educators

💻 Read the blog post HERE

✍️ Sign up to Get Curious, the inspirational weekly newsletter for curious parents and educators HERE

💌Connect with Edwina:

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blooming_curious/

Website: https://www.bloomingcurious.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bloomingcurious

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@edsbloomingcurious

☕️ If you like my work and want to encourage me to keep going you can do so by Buying me a Coffee. Any contribution will be gratefully received and will certainly give me the kick I need to keep going.☕️

00:00 The Real Reason for Teacher Burnout

00:46 The Clarity Problem in Teaching

02:09 The Power of Curiosity in Learning

03:20 Introducing Curiosity Without Chaos

04:16 Conclusion and Next Steps

We're addressing the challenges educators face in maintaining student engagement and exploring how traditional teaching methods might fall short in today's rapidly changing world. I share insights from a survey of educators, revealing a common struggle with student disengagement and the pressure to meet curriculum standards. The key takeaway is the critical role of curiosity in driving authentic engagement and learning. I introduce 'Curiosity Without Chaos,' a professional learning framework designed to revitalise curiosity within structured lesson plans without adding extra workload. Join the waitlist for practical tools and rethink your approach to teaching for a more engaging and meaningful experience both for you and your students.

🔗 Links:

Sign up for Curiosity Without Chaos - a mini professional framework for educators

💻 Read the blog post HERE

✍️ Sign up to Get Curious, the inspirational weekly newsletter for curious parents and educators HERE

💌Connect with Edwina:

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blooming_curious/

Website: https://www.bloomingcurious.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bloomingcurious

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@edsbloomingcurious

☕️ If you like my work and want to encourage me to keep going you can do so by Buying me a Coffee. Any contribution will be gratefully received and will certainly give me the kick I need to keep going.☕️

00:00 Introduction: The Struggle with Student Engagement

00:39 Traditional Teaching Methods: Why They Fall Short

02:42 The Real Issue: Lack of Curiosity

02:56 The Power of Curiosity in Learning

04:11 Introducing Curiosity Without Chaos

05:33 Invitation to Join the Waitlist

06:02 Conclusion: Embrace Curiosity

Tackling the common challenge of post-holiday burnout in teachers and homeschoolers by introducing a practical strategy that can transform lesson planning. Learn how to use picture books to teach multiple subjects, allowing for more cohesive and engaging learning experiences. Discover how to select books with rich vocabulary, strong story structures, and content connections to subjects like math, science, and social studies. Follow Edwina's step-by-step guide to integrate one powerful picture book into your curriculum, preventing burnout and making planning easier.

🔗 Links:

Integrated Lesson plans with picture books

Integrated Inquiry Planner

✍️ Sign up to Get Curious, the inspirational weekly newsletter for curious parents and educators HERE

💌Connect with Edwina:

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blooming_curious/

Website: https://www.bloomingcurious.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bloomingcurious

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@edsbloomingcurious

☕️ If you like my work and want to encourage me to keep going you can do so by Buying me a Coffee. Any contribution will be gratefully received and will certainly give me the kick I need to keep going.☕️

00:00 New Year, Same Challenges

01:00 The Reality of Planning

02:35 A Different Approach: Picture Books

03:21 Choosing the Right Books

04:27 Implementing Integrated Lessons

08:38 Steps to Get Started

10:02 Resources to Simplify Planning

10:50 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

In this episode, inspired by James Clear's 'Atomic Habits,' we explore how to make teaching fun and impactful by developing small, enjoyable habits. Edwina talks about creating systems instead of just setting goals, the importance of making your environment conducive to habit formation, and practical steps to ensure you consistently engage in rewarding teaching practices. Reflect on your past experiences, and download the goal-setting planner designed for educators to start building habits that will transform your teaching practice and make the new year more enjoyable for both you and your students.

Download the Goal Setting Planner and reflection tool below

🔗 Links:

The Goal Setting Planner and Tracker for Educators

✍️ Sign up to Get Curious, the inspirational weekly newsletter for curious parents and educators HERE

💌Connect with Edwina:

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blooming_curious/

Website: https://www.bloomingcurious.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bloomingcurious

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@edsbloomingcurious

☕️ If you like my work and want to encourage me to keep going you can do so by Buying me a Coffee. Any contribution will be gratefully received and will certainly give me the kick I need to keep going.☕️

00:00 Introduction: Making Teaching Fun

00:23 The Importance of Enjoyment in Teaching

00:59 Reflecting on Past Experiences

02:28 James Clear's Wisdom on Habits

03:20 Implementing Small Daily Habits

03:43 Prime Your Environment for Success

04:19 The Power of Reflection and Goal Setting

06:21 Recap and Final Thoughts

07:25 Conclusion and Call to Action