The Project Approach
Inquiry-Based Learning with The Project Approach
At Strong Start, we embrace The Project Approach in our Preschool and Bridge Programs — a dynamic, research-supported method of early childhood education that goes far beyond traditional theme-based or commercial curricula. Rooted in real-world exploration and driven by children’s natural curiosity, this approach fosters deep, meaningful learning that integrates academic content with critical life skills.
Unlike rigid, pre-planned programs, The Project Approach is highly child-responsive, allowing educators to follow children’s interests while carefully guiding inquiry, discovery, and knowledge-building. Projects can emerge from a question, an event, or a shared curiosity, and are explored over days or even weeks. Through hands-on investigations, students are encouraged to ask questions, solve problems, collaborate, and apply foundational math and literacy skills in authentic, relevant ways.
This method not only aligns with how children learn best but also prepares them for the challenges of the future. The Project Approach cultivates essential 21st-century skills, including:
- Critical thinking and problem-solving
- Communication and collaboration
- Creativity and innovation
- Research and analytical thinking
Our commitment to this approach is backed by compelling evidence. A comprehensive study conducted by the Johns Hopkins University School of Education, funded by the U.S. Department of Education, found that The Project Approach outperformed many widely used early childhood programs and commercial curricula in multiple domains of learning and development.
At Strong Start, we don’t just teach — we inspire a lifelong love of learning by creating a classroom culture where every question matters, every voice is valued, and every child leads the way.
Bringing Learning to Life
As part of this project, a Pre-K class visited a real restaurant, observing everything from the kitchen setup to how beverages are poured using a soda gun. They even stepped inside a walk-in refrigerator. Next, they met real pizza chefs who guided them through the process of mixing, stretching, and preparing pizza dough—an exciting, hands-on experience that deepened their understanding of the food industry. The grand finale: Rainbow Pizza! The students applied what they learned by creating their very own restaurant. They designed menus, prepared food, and proudly served their “customers.” Their families were invited to experience the restaurant firsthand, celebrating their hard work and creativity.
