Simple Ways to Keep Curiosity Alive Over the Summer Break

At BIS Abu Dhabi, curiosity isn’t bound to the classroom, it’s a mindset we nurture year-round. Having chosen Curious as our Term 3 ambition, we’re excited to carry this focus into Term 1 next year. Curiosity sparks exploration, strengthens connections, and drives metacognitive awareness; helping children understand how they think when they are curious.

Thinking routines - simple, scaffolded question sequences from Harvard Project Zero - help children:

• Make visible their thinking
• Build curiosity into habits
• Bridge school learning into the rich world at home

EYFS - Year 3: See–Think–Wonder

Routine steps:

1. See – Observe closely
2. Think – Interpret thoughtfully
3. Wonder – Ask questions

Summer at-home examples:

• Airport: “I see a huge departures board with city names and lights → I think it tells us when each flight leaves → I wonder what country each airport is in.”
• In a new city: “I see lots of people taking photos of a building→ I think it might be a landmark → I wonder what the landmark is called and why it is important”
• At a local food market: “I see colourful spices - red, yellow, brown- in baskets→ I think spices make food taste different → I wonder what the different spices make food taste like.”

Tip: Keep using the same vocabulary - see, think, wonder - so this pattern becomes natural and automatic.

Years 4 – 6: See–Wonder–Connect

Routine steps:

1. See – Notice
2. Wonder – Form questions
3. Connect – Relate to previous experiences

Summer applications:

• Gardening: “I see a tiny caterpillar → I wonder what it’ll become → It reminds me of a story on metamorphosis.”
• Exploring town: “I see tall and old buildings → I wonder why they look different → It connects to our history lessons on architecture.”
• Tourist Attractions: “I see ancient carvings on a wall → I wonder what stories they tell → I connect it to the mythology we studied in class.

Again, consistent use of see, wonder, connect helps children internalise curiosity and reflection.

Reflection: Realising When Curiosity Happens

Metacognition isn't just about asking questions, it’s about recognising when curiosity takes hold.

How parents can support reflection:

• Daily conversations: “What did you wonder about today?”
• Summer wonder log: Encourage a journal or sketchbook: “I saw…, I wondered…, I discovered…”
• End-of-summer reflection: “What was your favourite curiosity this break? How did you explore it?”

These moments reinforce that curiosity doesn’t end with a question, it becomes a part of how we think.

Why Curiosity Matters

Research shows curiosity enhances memory, attention, and lifelong learning by acting as a filter that focuses the mind. It also fuels critical scientific thinking from early childhood, boosts academic performance, and remains essential even into adulthood - helping people stay engaged and open to new ideas.

Curiosity plays a big role in the UAE’s success. From Sheikh Zayed’s vision for a better future to Sultan Al Neyadi’s journey into space, asking questions and exploring new ideas has helped the country grow. Curiosity continues to drive innovation, learning, and progress across the UAE today. It’s what inspires new inventions, advances in science, and creative solutions to real-world challenges. By encouraging children to be curious, we are helping them follow in the footsteps of those who have shaped the UAE’s future.

⚡ Starting Term 1 with Curiosity

Here’s how parents can launch Term 1 with curiosity at home:

1. Spot and name curiosity
   “That question showed curiosity, well done!”
2. Encourage wonder thinking daily
   Before school, at meals, during walks: prompt curious thinking routine.
3. Model curiosity as parents
   Share your own wonders: “I wonder?”
   Show you value inquiry by exploring answers together.
4. Celebrate curiosity
   Praise thoughtful questions and discoveries
   Keep the curiosity log going for Term 1.

By weaving See–Think–Wonder and See–Wonder–Connect into everyday life and reflection, you’re helping your child think curiously and metacognitively. Bridging the gap between being curious in school and at home helps nurture our students’ curiosity and encourages them to develop a lifelong habit of thinking, questioning, and exploring the world around them.


For more suggestions on how to embed Thinking Routines into everyday conversations at home, check-out our article: Turning Everyday Moments into Learning Opportunities.

For more information on BIS Abu Dhabi's role in Nord Anglia Education's Metacognition project, which aims to enhance student learning and critical thinking, read our article BIS Abu Dhabi at the Forefront of Cutting-Edge Metacognition Research.

Aaron Regan

Year 5 Teacher, Curriculum Leader and Metacognition Lead