Author: Jennifer Crook, Artistic Director, Dreamachine
The beginning of a new school year is upon us once again and with the current unrest around the world, as well as at home, the need to help children connect with others, and to acknowledge and celebrate both our similarities, and our differences, has never been more important.
How can we spark discussion about differences in a positive and inclusive way? How do we encourage our children to develop skills of empathy, connection and understanding? Sometimes it helps to think bigger.
Life’s Big Questions is an interactive online platform aimed at children aged 7+ that explores the unique ways we each perceive and create the world around us. Designed to bring some of life’s biggest philosophical questions into homes and classrooms across the UK, five free challenges - each with engaging animations and fun interactive tasks - invite children across the UK into a nationwide exploration of the wonder of their senses.
Life’s Big Questions takes you, in only 15 minutes, on a journey of knowledge and curiosity. I use it at the end of the day and it is a great way to wonder and learn concepts that are not included in the National Curriculum. The programme has given us the opportunity to develop art and science skills unimaginable for the primary curriculum but essential for children.
----Victor Guerro, Curriculum Lead in Creative Arts, Hillyfield Primary Academy, Waltham Forest
Rooted in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, Life’s Big Questions explores how we each experience the world, and why this process isn’t as simple as it may at first seem, thought-provoking questions such as:
- Can I believe everything I see?
- How do I know time is passing?
- Are colours only in my mind?
- Is everything I hear real?
- How are we all connected?
Life Big’s Questions was made with the aim to evoke a sense of discovery and curiosity in children at KS1 and KS2. Contained within the platform are puzzles and exercises to help children expand their thinking - encouraging them to share their own perspectives as well as learn about how others experience the world around them. As the tasks can be completed individually, or as a group, it is perfect for form time, full lessons or assemblies.
It was so thought-provoking…the children came up with really wonderful questions. I would like to incorporate this within my other lessons.
----Ms Duddridge, Year 5 Teacher, Severn Primary
School children taking part in Life's Big Questions
Sounds like something that might get your students thinking?
Heading to Life’s Big Questions
Life’s Big Questions was created by Collective Act, producers of the multi-award-winning creative programme Dreamachine, in partnership with the British Science Association, A New Direction, We The Curious and UNICEF UK.
Dreamachine is a major interdisciplinary programme created by world class artists, working alongside scientific researchers. Launched in 2022, the team of artists, composers, technologists, scientists and philosophers set out to explore and chart our inner worlds, with the aim of sparking insight, reflection and curiosity.
Alongside Life’s Big Questions, Dreamachine offers a suite of free creative learning resources designed to provide opportunities for children to reflect on their connection to each other and the world around them. Focused on Personal Development and Health & Wellbeing, these creative, student-led activities empower students to develop self-care strategies and important skills for life, including imagination, collaboration, communication, independence, self-confidence and mutual understanding.
I was totally fascinated by the whole theme of this programme. I feel if I am interested in it as a teacher then my pupils would also be interested.
----Miss Wortley, Head of Foundation & SENCo, Meadow Bridge Primary School, Hillsborough
School children taking part in Life's Big Questions
The programme has so far reached over one million young people with resources being downloaded over 75,000 times.
Explore the free collection of over 30 lesson plans for children ages 5 – 11 years-old.