Exploring Growth and Independence in Our Unit of Inquiry: “Who We Are”
By Ms. Leli Katarina Ginting(Ms. Kathy), Kindergarten 1-3 teacher
Our Kindergarten students learned an exciting Unit of Inquiry under the Transdisciplinary Theme “Who We Are.” The Central Idea, “As people change and grow, they learn to do more for themselves,” has been guiding our young learners as they explore how they have grown, changed, and become increasingly more independent.
Throughout this inquiry, students have been encouraged to think deeply through guiding questions such as:
- What do you look like?
- What are the similarities and differences between you and your friends?
- What are the different parts of your body, and what can you do with them?
- What were you like when you were first born? What are you like now?
- What can you do for yourself and by yourself?
- How do you learn to do new things?
To begin this journey, the children engaged in a creative provocation—making life-size self-portraits. Each child traced around their body on large paper and added unique details such as their hair, eyes, clothes, and other special features. This artistic exploration allowed students to learn about the different parts of the body while celebrating their individuality and appreciating the diversity within the classroom community.
Through this meaningful activity, students developed a variety of transdisciplinary skills. They practiced recognizing and naming body parts, strengthened their fine and gross motor coordination while tracing, cutting, and painting, and expressed their creativity through color and design choices. They also enhanced their language skills by using descriptive vocabulary to talk about themselves, collaborated respectfully with peers, and built confidence in expressing their identity.
As the inquiry continued, the children brought in baby photos from home and shared stories about their early years. They compared what they could do as babies with what they can do now, discovering the many ways they have changed and grown. This reflective experience helped students understand sequencing, develop comparative language, and gain confidence in speaking in front of others.
A memorable highlight of the unit was when some parents brought their infants to visit the Kindergarten classroom. The children were filled with curiosity and excitement as they observed the babies, discussed what babies can do, and reflected on how dependent infants are on adults for care. This real-life experience enabled the students to make meaningful connections to their own early development and deepen their understanding of growth and independence.
We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to all the parents who supported this learning experience by sending in baby photos and taking the time to visit our class with their little ones. Your involvement made the inquiry come alive and provided authentic, memorable learning moments for our students.
Through these engaging and thoughtful experiences, our Kindergarten learners have developed not only knowledge and skills but also a deeper understanding of themselves and others. They are beginning to see that growing and learning are lifelong journeys—and that every new thing they can do by themselves is a celebration of who they are becoming.
