Curious George’s

✨ Freedom to Move, Freedom to Learn ✨

As a Curiosity Approach accredited setting, we follow the principles of Emmi Pikler, recognising that babies learn best when they are given the freedom and time to move, explore and develop naturally at their own pace.

The child in these videos is just 5 months old, yet already showing incredible curiosity and determination to explore the world around them. This simple invitation, with a mirrored surface, soft lighting and open-ended resources, encouraged movement, discovery and independent exploration.

As babies roll, reach, stretch, pivot and investigate independently, they are developing strength, balance, coordination and confidence in their own abilities. There is no need to rush milestones when children are given the time and space to develop naturally.

Every movement has a purpose. Every discovery belongs to the child.

✨ Developing body awareness
✨ Supporting gross motor development
✨ Building confidence and independence
✨ Encouraging curiosity and concentration
✨ Respecting each child’s unique developmental journey

“A child who is allowed to develop through their own movement gains not only skill, but confidence in their own abilities.” – Emmi Pikler

✨ Freedom to Move, Freedom to Learn ✨

As a Curiosity Approach accredited setting, we follow the principles of Emmi Pikler, recognising that babies learn best when they are given the freedom and time to move, explore and develop naturally at their own pace.

The child in these photos is just 5 months old, yet already showing incredible curiosity and determination to explore the world around them. This simple invitation, with a mirrored surface, soft lighting and open-ended resources, encouraged movement, discovery and independent exploration.

As babies roll, reach, stretch, pivot and investigate independently, they are developing strength, balance, coordination and confidence in their own abilities. There is no need to rush milestones when children are given the time and space to develop naturally.

Every movement has a purpose. Every discovery belongs to the child.

✨ Developing body awareness
✨ Supporting gross motor development
✨ Building confidence and independence
✨ Encouraging curiosity and concentration
✨ Respecting each child’s unique developmental journey

“A child who is allowed to develop through their own movement gains not only skill, but confidence in their own abilities.” Emmi Pikler

Today our friends from Little Stars Childminding, Wath-upon-dearne came to play and enjoyed some wonderfully messy, child-led play outdoors.

A simple tuff tray filled with cornflour and bottles of coloured water quickly became an invitation to explore, create and investigate. The children were fascinated as the colours mixed, changed and flowed across the tray, creating new shades and patterns.

The bubble machine added an extra layer of magic! With the wind and rain sending bubbles in every direction, there was lots of chasing, laughing and excitement. Even the rain couldn’t stop the fun.

the simplest invitations create the richest learning opportunities

As a solo childminder, keeping children safe while they learn, play and explore outdoors is a huge part of my everyday practice. This accreditation has helped strengthen my knowledge and sun safety routines even further, ensuring children can safely enjoy the benefits of outdoor play all year round

Curiosity case ready for a new little one starting tomorrow.

I’ve carefully put this together to allow me to observe how the little one naturally plays, explores and learns through their own interests and schemas.

Filled with loose parts, real objects, textures and treasures, this open ended setup gives the freedom to transport, post, fill, empty, stack, investigate and discover at their own pace.

By slowing down and observing rather than directing play, we are able to learn so much more about each child and how they naturally learn, think and explore. We can then carefully set the environment up for each individual child, creating children who are active learners.

Coram PACEY

Sometimes the simplest invitations create the biggest learning opportunities

Today I simply made paint available alongside ramps, loose parts and open ended resources… and the children took it from there.

They explored what colours they could make, watched the paint travel down the ramp, tested ideas and turned it into their own play without any adult direction.

Child-led play at its best

Colour Mixing Potions

Today’s provocation was created using our potion bottles from and the children’s current schemas, inviting them to explore colour mixing, pouring and potion making through child led play.

The only adult input was setting up the provocation… everything else came from the children’s own curiosity and imagination.

As they poured, mixed and transferred liquids they explored transporting, trajectory, transforming and containing schemas while supporting Communication & Language, Physical Development, Mathematics, Understanding the World and Expressive Arts & Design all through play

Coram PACEY