Do snails have tails? - Start of a snail Inquiry

Sid and Nidhi got excited looking at a couple of snails in a planter box in our apartment. They have been peeking at these snails for some days now. So I wanted them to take their time and observe them. It was dark and I switched on the flashlight and we sat there for about an hour just looking at the snails.

I wanted to know what thoughts ran in their little minds. 

So, here is how the conversation goes...

I see...

Me: What do you see?

Sid : Two snails.

Nidhi: A mommy snail, a baby snail.

Me: What else do you see?

Nidhi: The baby is sleeping.

Sid: The big snail is walking.

I think...

Me: Sid, Why do you think the snail is walking?

Sid: Because it is moving.

Me: Do you think snails walk with their legs?

Sid and Nidhi : No! I think the snails don't have legs.

Me: Then, how do you think they move?

Nidhi: Like this! (Shows me like she is crawling by dragging her legs, makes a full round around the planter and looks at the snail and exclaims "Wow! It is still moving!")

Me: You mean it is moving slowly?

Nidhi: Yes! Slow!

Me: What else do you think?

Nidhi: I think its house is on that plant.

Me: Is it where the snail is going now?

Nidhi: I think it is going to its baby.

Me: Why?

Nidhi: Because the baby is crying like ooo-aaa (imitates a baby cry)

Sid interrupts and asks me "Mom, Do snails fly?"

Me: I don't know. What do you think?

Sid: No they don't. Birds have wings and they fly.

Me: So, snails don't have wings?

Sid : No!

Me: What is that on its back then?

Sid: Thats the shell. Turtle has shell. (Look, he is making a connection!)

Me: What do you think snails eat?

Sid : Cream cheese!

Nidhi: Sticks!

Me: What else do you think?

Sid: I think the sticks on its head are ears.

Nidhi: No, those are eyes!

I wonder...

Sid: What is that water?
Nidhi: Can snails jump?
Sid: Do snails have tail?

Nidhi: Where is baby snail's blanket? :)  I love how she is worried about the baby snail sleeping in the cold.


Since the twins are pre readers, I have a voice recording of these details. They get excited listening to it when played back to them.
Our next step would be to reflect on these thoughts and if they are still excited, to dig deeper into the subject. This is how an inquiry often unfolds. 

How does this conversation help them? It teaches them many important skills that are not being nurtured in traditional education environment as well as it should.
This kind of conversation helps them to
1. See - Really observe and deeply think about what we see.
2. Think out loud - It is a required skill for 21st century. Those who attend job interviews know what I mean ;)
3. Nurture Curiosity.
4. Appreciate the environment we live in.

So, the next time your kid notices something interesting and asks a question, try not to answer it by yourself. Instead, ask "What do you think?" and "Where shall we look for the answers?" and most importantly LET THEM THINK.

"Most of all, have confidence in every learner's ability to think and your capacity to nurture that thinking. The results will amaze and energize you" - Ron Ritchhart - Making thinking visible.