Busy Bags learning activities come with a specifically designed and written activity card.

They aim to raise the awareness of learning and thinking for children and assist parents and caregivers with adding educational value to the activity.

Each Busy Bag activity card is broken into three key areas:

1. Activity variations
2. Hands-on learning outcomes
3. Questioning

 Variation symbol 

Provides alternative ways to use each activity

 Hands-on learning outcomes symbol

Explains what skills are being developed

 Questioning symbol

Carefully provides a range of questions based on Blooms Taxonomy

Why is questioning so important?

As a teacher and educator I know the importance of asking thought provoking questions to get children thinking about their learning and clarify their understanding.

The questions section features carefully written questions which have been based on Blooms Taxonomy of higher order thinking and designed to promote deeper thinking, motivate new thinking and provide a base for conversations to develop between the adult and child.

Questioning can take place at any stage of the activity.

For instance, if you notice the child becoming frustrated, when a new concept has been understood or towards the end of the activity, it is time to summarise or share the learning. Questioning from an adult doesn't need to occur every time the child engages with the activity, and can be done in an informal and fun manner.

Questions will also encourage the child to make links in their learning and improve and refine their oral language skills. You may find it provides an insight into any misconceptions the child may have or even become aware of a special ability!

By asking open-ended questions, where there is not a single "correct" answer, gives children skills to develop critical thinking and the confidence to think and respond creatively.

The adults role is to respond positively and specifically to assist the child in feeling valued. Furthermore, this will boost their confidence and encourage them to persevere and share their ideas. Consider the amount of time you allow a child to respond to a question. 'Wait time' is really important for children. There is generally a deeper quality of response if the child has been provided 3-4 seconds to consider their response.

Below are a examples of some generic question starters you could add

• How do you know?

• Why do you think that?

• Tell me about that?

• How could you check?

• What do you think could happen next?

• Can you show/explain that in another way?