Why a Simple Object Can Open a World of Ideas

Place an unfamiliar object in front of a group of children - say a pocket watch or a floppy disk and watch their eyes light up.

What is it? How does it work? Who used it?

At Anandi, we believe that introducing real objects in the classroom is a powerful way to spark curiosity, encourage questioning, and deepen inquiry. When children encounter something they haven’t seen before, their natural instinct is to observe closely, make guesses, and start asking great questions.

How Real Objects Spark Inquiry When an object appears, teachers can guide children through Visible Thinking Routines. Simple, structured prompts that help them slow down and share their ideas:

• See, Think, Wonder
  What do you see? What do you think it’s for? What do you wonder?

• Think, Puzzle, Explore
  What do you think this is? What puzzles you? How could we find out more?

• Make Connections
  Does this remind you of anything? Do we still use something like this today?

These routines turn a moment of surprise into a rich conversation about design, purpose, and history.

Extending the Learning

A single artefact can launch a full inquiry cycle:

• Compare Old and New – Examine a floppy disk, then research or handle a USB drive.

• Storytelling – Imagine the journeys of a pocket watch: Who carried it? What stories could it tell?

• Cross-Curricular Links – Trace how technology changed over time, explore materials science, or discuss the problem-solving needs that drove each invention.

Choosing the Right Objects

The best artifacts invite children to touch, turn, and wonder. We look for unique textures, moving parts, or hidden mechanisms, anything that sparks hands-on exploration. Some examples we plan to use include:

• Pocket watch

• Car window hammer

• Old phones and cameras with film rolls

• Currency and stamps

• Floppy disks, CDs, and cassette tapes

• Coconut or paper shredders

• Ink quills and old-fashioned locks

• Walkman or record players

Each item offers a window into history, technology, and design thinking.

Why It Matters

Real objects spark more than momentary curiosity - they build critical thinking and observation skills, the foundations of inquiry-based learning. Children learn to hypothesise, connect ideas across time and place, and appreciate how everyday tools are designed to solve problems.

As Anandi prepares to welcome its first students, creating classrooms where children ask “What else could this be?” is central to our vision. We want every learning space to inspire wonder, questioning, and the kind of creative thinking that shapes confident, future-ready learners.