Blooming Curious
by Edwina Cottino
Latest episode
Why Is My Child Bored? The Screen Paradox & the Power of Real-World…
Why Is My Child Bored? The Screen Paradox & the Power of Real-World…
About this podcast
Blooming Curious is for K-2 teachers and homeschool parents who want children to genuinely love learning. Hosted by early childhood educator Edwina Cottino, each episode shares practical, ready-to-use strategies built around curiosity, hands-on activities, nature-based learning, and the magic of picture books — because that's what actually works with young children. You'll find ideas for curiosity-driven lessons, early literacy, oral language development, and simple ways to bring inquiry and play into everyday learning — at school or at home. If you believe the early years matter, and that learning should be joyful and meaningful, you're in the right place. Subscribe for weekly ideas that keep children curious, focused, and excited to learn. Let's be blooming curious.
Visit www.bloomingcurious.com for stress-free resources and strategies that put the love into learning.
Subscribe to Get Curious for a weekly dose of inspiration and strategies to keep you and the children you teach curious!
Episodes
The newest 20 of 110 episodes
- Why Is My Child Bored? The Screen Paradox & the Power of Real-World Curiosity · 12 min · Episode 110They have screens. They have toys. They have activities. And yet — they trail you around the house saying 'I'm bored.' In this episode I unpack: ● Why having access to everything…
- What Classical Education and Charlotte Mason Got Right That We've Forgotten · 11 min · Episode 109In this episode, I'm looking at two of the oldest — and most overlooked — educational philosophies out there: Classical education and the Charlotte Mason method. I work in a…
- I'm Worried About Losing Control — Can Inquiry Learning Really Work in a Real Classroom? · 11 min · Episode 108The number one concern teachers have about inquiry learning isn't time, or curriculum pressure — it's control. In this episode, we talk honestly about why that fear makes…
- What Learning Looks Like When Curiosity Leads · 13 min · Episode 107What does learning actually look like when children are genuinely curious? In this episode, I share real classroom stories — from gifted learners who'd switched off, to children…
- Why children stop asking questions — and what we're doing that causes it. · 14 min · Episode 106Children’s curiosity and fascination with the world is declining. Children are asking fewer questions. This loss of curiosity can be due to depleted dopamine, as referenced in…
- Is Curiosity the Secret Weapon Your Students Need to Survive the AI Age? · 6 min · Episode 105RE-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…
- Why Your Child's Brain Needs Beauty to Develop Well · 11 min · Episode 104Are 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…
- Why Your Students Won’t Focus (And What Actually Fixes It) · 9 min · Episode 103Are 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…
- Why Kids Are Losing Curiosity (And What Teachers Can Do About It) · 9 min · Episode 102Feeling 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…
- I Almost Ruined Kindergarten on Day One… Here’s What Saved Me · 8 min · Episode 101Teaching 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…
- How to Plan Rich Learning Experiences Without Curriculum Overwhelm · 22 min · Episode 100Ep 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…
- Why More Teaching Resources Won’t Fix Teacher Overwhelm (and What Actually Will) · 7 min · Episode 99Ep 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…
- Why Curiosity Matters More Than Curriculum in Today’s Classrooms · 7 min · Episode 98We're addressing the challenges educators face in maintaining student engagement and exploring how traditional teaching methods might fall short in today's rapidly changing…
- January Lesson Planning for Teachers: Using Picture Books to Prevent Burnout · 12 min · Episode 97Tackling 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…
- Small Habits That Transform Teaching: Make It Fun Again · 8 min · Episode 96In 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…
- Tech-Free Kids: 24 Holiday Activities That Actually Work · 13 min · Episode 95Wondering how to keep kids engaged during the holidays without screens? Here are 24 screen-free activities that build curiosity and problem-solving skills—no technology required…
- Stop Teaching Worksheets Start Teaching Thinking: Inquiry-Based Learning Made Simple · 8 min · Episode 94Feeling like you've failed with incomplete worksheets and rushed curriculum? Discover why inquiry-based learning should be your go-to strategy for deeper, meaningful education…
- Eight Weeks to Successful Homeschooling · 5 min · Episode 93The essential steps and strategies for a successful transition to homeschooling with the 'Homeschool Jumpstart' 8-week coaching program. Whether you are new to homeschooling or…
- Curriculum VS Traditions - Which delivers deeper learning? · 9 min · Episode 92Exploring the transformative power of creating learning traditions, rather than racing through curriculum checklists. The focus is on establishing repeated practices that truly…
- Learning Through Handmade Handicrafts - And Why Children Need This · 11 min · Episode 91Incorporating handmade handicrafts into learning benefits children in a multitude of ways. It helps their developing fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, patience, and…
