---
title: "Visible Thinking: Fostering Inquiry in Early Years"
description: ISTP kindergarten students channel their curiosity, develop critical thinking skills, and find meaning in their discoveries through Visible Thinking and Thinking Routines, which are taught in two different languages; English and French or Chinese and English.
image: https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hubfs/Miscellaneous/Imported_Blog_Media/ISTP_Sept2019_0570e.jpg
---

[![Silicon Valley International School](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hubfs/Logos/INTL_Logo_RGB_2024.png)](https://www.siliconvalleyinternational.org/)

![](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hubfs/search.png) [![](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hubfs/hamb.png)](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/visiblethinkingeyp#sidr-main)

- [admissionstour and variable tuition](https://www.siliconvalleyinternational.org/admissions)
- [early yearspreschool and pre k](https://www.siliconvalleyinternational.org/page/education/early-years)
- [elementary school kindergarten–5th grade](https://www.siliconvalleyinternational.org/page/education/elementary)
- [middle school 6–8th grade](https://www.siliconvalleyinternational.org/page/education/middle-school)
- [high school9–12th grade](https://www.siliconvalleyinternational.org/page/education/high-school)

**Locations**  
[Palo Alto and Menlo Park, CA](https://www.siliconvalleyinternational.org/about/contact-us)

**Email**  
[admissions@svintl.org](mailto:%20admissions@svintl.org)

**Social**

- [![facebook](https://dto-sf-media.myschoolcdn.com/ftpimages/403/link/large_link2417421_134652.png)](http://www.facebook.com/svintlschool)
- [![Instagram](https://dto-sf-media.myschoolcdn.com/ftpimages/403/link/large_link2417426_134654.png)](http://www.instagram.com/svintlschool)
- [![Twitter](https://dto-sf-media.myschoolcdn.com/ftpimages/403/link/large_link2417432_134655.png)](http://www.twitter.com/svintlschool)
- [![LinkedIn](https://dto-sf-media.myschoolcdn.com/ftpimages/403/link/large_link2417433_134656.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/svintlschool)
- [![YouTube](https://dto-sf-media.myschoolcdn.com/ftpimages/403/link/large_link2417434_134657.png)](https://www.youtube.com/user/istpnet)

# Visible Thinking: Fostering Inquiry in Early Years

[Inquiry Learning](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/tag/inquiry-learning) [Early Years](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/tag/early-years)

[blog home](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org)

 Early Years

[All Categories](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org) [culture](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/tag/culture) [STEM](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/tag/stem) [social emotional learning](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/tag/social-emotional-learning) [community](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/tag/community) [inquiry learning](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/tag/inquiry-learning) [Achievement](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/tag/achievement) [Bilingualism](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/tag/bilingualism)

![Visible Thinking: Fostering Inquiry in Early Years](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hubfs/Miscellaneous/Imported_Blog_Media/ISTP_Sept2019_0570e.jpg)

share: [![istp-linkedin-logo](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hs-fs/hubfs/sv_pdd_email/linkedin-in.png?width=48&upscale=true&name=linkedin-in.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/visiblethinkingeyp) [![istp-instagram-logo](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hs-fs/hubfs/sv_pdd_email/instagram.png?width=48&upscale=true&name=instagram.png)](https://www.instagram.com/?url=https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/visiblethinkingeyp) [![istp-facebook-logo](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hs-fs/hubfs/sv_pdd_email/facebook.png?width=48&upscale=true&name=facebook.png)](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/visiblethinkingeyp)

What do thinking and learning look like, and under what conditions do they thrive? This is the question posed by[*Project Zero*](http://www.pz.harvard.edu/), an extension of the Harvard Graduate School of Education. With much research, *Project Zero* developed a framework to teach students how to channel their curiosity, think deeply, and find meaning in their discoveries. They call this framework *Visible Thinking*, which is used at Silicon Valley International School's [Early Years Center](https://www.siliconvalleyinternational.org/education/early-years) and beyond.

To make thinking visible, teachers use *Thinking Routines* to help students structure and express their thoughts. There are different kinds of *Thinking Routines* that help students break down content or a subject matter in a specific, repeatable pattern in order to achieve a goal, find a solution, or discover deeper meaning.

![thinking routine graphic v2](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Miscellaneous/Imported_Blog_Media/thinking%20routine%20graphic%20v2.png?width=727&name=thinking%20routine%20graphic%20v2.png)

For example, one of the Kindergarten [Units of Inquiry](https://www.siliconvalleyinternational.org/education/inquiry-based) is "Where We Are in Place and Time." By implementing the *Thinking Routine*, "See, Think, Wonder," students were encouraged to inquire into the relationship between homes, environment, culture, and people. This routine is simple for students to use, yet furthers their thinking and compliments learning in a bilingual setting; other routines, such as "Connect, Challenge, Extend" can be developed upon this initial foundation.

After reading a book about environment and dwellings, teachers engaged students in this *Thinking Routine.* Some students *saw* how some people lived in homes of different sizes, depending on where they lived. Other students *thought* that there are many people around the world who live in places different from where they live. All students were asked to *wonder* and design what their homes would look like, using cardboard, glue, tape, and paint.

Within a [bilingual](https://www.siliconvalleyinternational.org/education/dynamic-bilingual) classroom, teachers focus not just on teaching a *Thinking Routine* and the discussion skills necessary for the process, but also the language surrounding the routine, and how to present and express one's self in a second language.

In Kindergarten, "See, Think, Wonder" visuals in both languages are put on the boards for students to use as prompts to verbally express their thinking. Students' answers are printed out and placed on the wall for further discussion and discovery.

Both the target language and English teachers work together to reinforce concepts and apply the "See, Think, Wonder" *Thinking Routine* in their classrooms, so that students can make connections between content and subjects and become lifelong inquirers.

related posts

[![recent-blog-post-image](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hubfs/Miscellaneous/Imported_Blog_Media/IBAdvantage-1.jpg)](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/the-impact-of-inquiry-and-language-learning-on-critical-thinking-skills)

[Inquiry Learning](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/tag/inquiry-learning)

##### [The Impact of Inquiry and Language Learning on Critical Thinking Skills](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/the-impact-of-inquiry-and-language-learning-on-critical-thinking-skills)

[![recent-blog-post-image](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hubfs/Miscellaneous/Imported_Blog_Media/image2-1.jpg)](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/personal-projects-research-creativity-and-critical-thinking)

[Inquiry Learning](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/tag/inquiry-learning)

##### [Personal Projects - Research, Creativity and Critical Thinking](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/personal-projects-research-creativity-and-critical-thinking)

[![recent-blog-post-image](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hubfs/Miscellaneous/Imported_Blog_Media/ISTP_Nov2017_6266e.jpg)](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/collaborative-design-thinking-in-middle-school)

[Inquiry Learning](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/tag/inquiry-learning) [Middle School](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/tag/middle-school)

##### [Collaborative Design Thinking in Middle School](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/collaborative-design-thinking-in-middle-school)

### Silicon Valley International School

#### The premier bilingual International Baccalaureate school in the West Coast. Grades preschool to high school: Chinese, French, German Programs available.

[contact us](https://www.siliconvalleyinternational.org/admissions/contact-admissions)

[![svINTL-logo](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Logos/INTL_Logo_RGB_2024.png?upscale=true&width=350&name=INTL_Logo_RGB_2024.png)](https://www.siliconvalleyinternational.org/)

[+1 (650) 251-8500](tel:+1%20(650)%20251-8500) | [admissions@svintl.org](mailto:admissions@svintl.org)

Cohn Campus (Main): 151 Laura Lane, Palo Alto, CA 94303

Willows Campus: 475 Pope St., Menlo Park, CA 94025

[![istp-email-logo](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hs-fs/hubfs/sv_pdd_email/facebook.png?upscale=true&width=24&name=facebook.png)](https://www.facebook.com/SVINTLSchool/) [![istp-email-logo](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hs-fs/hubfs/sv_pdd_email/instagram.png?upscale=true&width=24&name=instagram.png)](https://www.instagram.com/SVINTLschool/) [![istp-email-logo](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hs-fs/hubfs/sv_pdd_email/linkedin-in.png?upscale=true&width=24&name=linkedin-in.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/groups/?about=&gid=3678595) [![istp-email-logo](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hs-fs/hubfs/sv_pdd_email/youtube.png?upscale=true&width=24&name=youtube.png)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoCumv__A7wzB86YH0q8u7A)

```json
{
  "@context" : "https://schema.org",
  "@type" : "BlogPosting",
  "author" : {
    "@type" : "Person",
    "name" : "Jovi Craig",
    "url" : "https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/author/jovi-craig"
  },
  "dateModified" : "2023-08-03T20:26:50.738Z",
  "datePublished" : "2023-03-31T07:00:00.000Z",
  "headline" : "Visible Thinking: Fostering Inquiry in Early Years",
  "image" : [ "https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hubfs/Miscellaneous/Imported_Blog_Media/ISTP_Sept2019_0570e.jpg" ],
  "mainEntityOfPage" : {
    "@id" : "https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/visiblethinkingeyp",
    "@type" : "WebPage"
  },
  "publisher" : {
    "@type" : "Organization",
    "logo" : {
      "@type" : "ImageObject",
      "url" : "https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hubfs/Logos/INTL_Logo_RGB_2024.png"
    },
    "name" : "Silicon Valley International School"
  }
}
```