WHO IS MARION BLANK?
Marion Blank is a renowned developmental psychologist and researcher known for her work on language acquisition and the development of the “Questions Framework”.
Her research has significantly contributed to our understanding of how children learn language and the importance of questioning in cognitive development.
Blank’s Questions Framework is a method used to foster language development and critical thinking skills in young children.
It is based on the idea that asking questions is a fundamental aspect of learning and encourages children to think actively and engage with the world around them. The framework provides a structured approach to asking questions that stimulate curiosity and promote cognitive growth.
The Questions Framework consists of four types of questions:
- Factual Questions: These questions focus on gathering information and encouraging children to recall specific facts or details. For example, “What colour is the sky?” or “How many legs does a cat have?”
- Bridging Inference Questions: These questions help children make connections between different concepts and encourage them to think more deeply. For instance, “Why do you think the plants need sunlight?” or “What do you think will happen if it rains?”
- Comparative Questions: These questions involve comparing and contrasting different objects, ideas, or situations. They promote critical thinking and the ability to identify similarities and differences. Examples include, “How is a bicycle different from a car?” or “What are the similarities between an apple and an orange?”
- Predictive Questions: These questions encourage children to make predictions based on their understanding of a given situation. They foster reasoning skills and help children develop hypotheses and anticipate outcomes. For example, “What do you think will happen if you mix red and blue paint?” or “What do you think will happen next in the story?”
WHY SHOULD YOU USE MARION BLANK FRAMEWORK?
By incorporating these types of questions into everyday interactions, parents, educators, and caregivers can support children’s language development, comprehension, and critical thinking abilities. The Questions Framework supports active engagement, encourages children to explore their environment, and nurtures their natural curiosity and enhance children’s cognitive and linguistic development. Win – win!
HOW CAN I APPLY IT TO MY PRACTICE?
Marion Blank’s Questions Framework can be applied to various educational contexts, including morning meetings, yarning circles, or group times in early childhood education and care settings. Here are some additional examples of questions that could be used in these settings:
- Factual Questions:
- What day of the week is it today?
- How many seasons are there?
- What is the weather like outside?
- Bridging Inference Questions:
- Why do you think it’s important to listen to others during a group discussion?
- How do you think sharing toys can make our playtime more enjoyable?
- What do you think might happen if we don’t wash our hands before eating?
- Comparative Questions:
- How is today different from yesterday?
- What are the similarities and differences between a book and a movie?
- Can you compare playing outside with playing inside? What are the advantages of each?
- Predictive Questions:
- What do you think we will learn about during our group time today?
- What do you think will happen if we add soap to water and blow air into it with a straw?
- Can you predict how our plants will grow if we give them plenty of sunlight and water?
EXAMPLE OF APPLYING THE FRAMEWORK TO THE BOOK “WE ARE GOING ON A BEAR HUNT”
- Factual Questions:
- What are the characters in the story looking for?
- What obstacles do they encounter during their bear hunt?
- How does the weather change throughout the story?
- Bridging Inference Questions:
- Why do you think the characters decide to go on a bear hunt?
- How do you think the characters feel when they come across different obstacles?
- What do you think the characters are hoping to find at the end of their bear hunt?
- Comparative Questions:
- How is walking through long grass similar to walking through a forest?
- What are the differences between crossing a river and going through a snowstorm?
- Can you compare the experience of going through a cave with going through a narrow tunnel?
- Predictive Questions:
- What do you think the characters will do if they actually find a bear?
- Can you predict how the characters might feel when they finally reach the bear’s cave?
- What do you think will happen once the characters go back through all the obstacles to get home?
Tell me what do you think?
