Dear Ash Mount Community,
I hope you are all enjoying the start of the summer holidays.
One of the things I love most about this time of year is hearing about the different adventures our families
are having. Some of you are travelling to visit grandparents and cousins, some are exploring new
countries, whilst others are enjoying a quieter summer here in the UAE.
Whatever your plans, every day brings opportunities to learn something new.
At Ash Mount, we often talk about curiosity because it sits at the heart of great learning.
Children are naturally curious. They ask wonderful questions.
Why does the moon change shape?
Why do some countries drive on different sides of the road?
How do aeroplanes stay in the sky?
Why do people speak different languages?
As adults, our first instinct is often to answer these questions.
Sometimes, however, the best response is simply…
“What do you think?”
That small question encourages children to think, reason, wonder, and explore. It tells them that their
ideas matter and that learning is about much more than finding the right answer.
The summer holidays are full of opportunities for these conversations.
Whether you are sitting in an airport, walking along a beach, visiting relatives, exploring a museum, or
simply shopping for groceries, curiosity can be found everywhere.
Children don’t always remember every fact they are taught.
They do remember how adults made them feel excited about learning.
This week’s Summer Challenge
This week, try to become a family of question askers.
Instead of rushing to provide answers, encourage everyone to wonder together.
Pre-KG and KG
Play “I Wonder…” games whilst out walking.
Look for different shapes, colours, sounds, and textures.
Read favourite stories and ask, “What do you think happens next?”
Encourage children to ask as many questions as they can.
Primary
Start a family “Wonder List” of interesting questions.
Visit somewhere unfamiliar and find five things you’ve never noticed before.
Try a new food and learn where it comes from.
Read for pleasure every day, even if only for twenty minutes.
Secondary
Keep a journal of interesting questions you come across during the week.
Read about a current global issue and discuss different viewpoints.
Learn a few phrases in another language if you are travelling.
Choose one topic you know very little about and become the family expert.
At Ash Mount, we want children to leave school each day with as many questions as answers.
Because curiosity is often where the very best learning begins.
Enjoy another wonderful week of summer, and we look forward to sharing next week’s Summer
Challenge with you.
Best wishes,
Abigail Fishbourne
Founding Principal
Ash Mount School
