- Challenge: Children do not know how to formulate a clear research question.
Tip: Helping children to ask good questions - Use tools such as question starters (‘Why…’, ‘How…’, ‘What happens if…’) or provide examples of good questions.
- Let the children draw or write their questions in their own words before you help them to refine them.
- Challenge: Children may be overwhelmed by too many choices or easily distracted.
Tip: Provide enough structure within freedom - Provide a clear roadmap (e.g. 1. develop question, 2. make plan, 3. implement, 4. reflect).
- Use visual aids such as pictograms or a step-by-step poster in the classroom.
- Challenge: In groups, some children take the lead while others are less involved.
Tip: Encouraging cooperation without dominance - Assign roles within the study (e.g. materials manager, note-taker, presenter) to encourage equal participation.
- Ask the children to reflect on their collaboration (“What went well? What can we do better?”).
- Challenge: Children get frustrated when their investigation fails or has an unexpected outcome.
Tip: Encourage perseverance - Normalise mistakes and emphasise that this is an important part of the learning process.
- Ask questions such as: What can we learn from this?” or “What could we try differently?
- Challenge: The tendency to give answers or direct the children too much.
Tip: Guide without directing - Ask deeper questions rather than offering solutions, e.g.: ‘How can you work this out?’ or ‘What do you think this means?
- Show that you are curious and don’t know the answer, so that the children feel free to experiment.
- Challenge: Lack of inspiration or limited opportunities in the classroom.
Tip: Use a variety of materials and resources - Provide a collection of open-ended materials (building blocks, recycled materials, natural materials) and simple tools (magnifying glasses, water bowls, measuring tapes).
- Introduce new materials step by step to stimulate curiosity and avoid chaos.
- Challenge: Research takes longer than planned or children lose focus.
Tip: Keep time and expectations realistic - Break the process down into smaller, manageable steps with clear time limits.
- Allow time at the end of each session to reflect on what they have achieved and what the next step is.
- Challenge: Some children may feel insecure about sharing their ideas or results.
Tip: Creating a safe learning environment - Praise their efforts, regardless of the outcome, and emphasise that every contribution is valuable.
- Let children share in small groups before presenting to the whole class.
