Young Investigator - Towards Creativity and Innovative Mind Through Inquiry Learning Using Qualitative Study Hasmadi Hassan, Mazeni Ismail, Jameyah Sheriff, Mohd Azuri Shaari Department of Human Science, University Malaysia Pahang Abstract The aim of the study is to introduce a Project Approach in early childhood education in rural preschools in the district of Kota Bharu, a town on the east coast of Malaysia. Most of the teachers of these preschools do not have a formal training in early childhood education. Their knowledge and experience in early childhood education were through hands on and on the job training. The themes are identified from the qualitative data analysis; (1) inquiry learning, (2) teamwork, and (3) communication. By using this Project Approach, teachers are able to prepare themselves to be young investigators by implementing new ideas in teaching children. Keywords: Inquiry Learning, Project Approach, Sharing, Teamwork, Communication 1. Introduction Project Approach refers to a set of teaching strategy which enable teachers to guide children through in-depth studies of real world topics. Projects are described as having a complex but flexible structural framework with features that characterize the teaching-learning interaction. When teachers implement the Project Approach successfully, children can be highly motivated, feel actively involved in their own learning, and produce work of a high quality. The project is like a good story. There is an introduction, bodies and also a conclusion of a story. In Project Approach, the teacher will organize the progression of activities according to the development of the children’s interests and personal involvement with the topic of study. During the preliminary planning stage, the teacher selects the topic of study (based on the children’s interests, curriculum, availability of local resources, etc.). The teacher need to brainstorm her own experience, knowledge, and ideas and represents them in a topic web. This web will be added throughout the project and will be used it for recording the progress of the project. Projects are defined as extended in-depth investigations of phenomena in the children’s own environment that are worthy of learning about. Project work provides a context in which the teacher can encourage learners to apply their growing academic skills in purposeful ways. The teacher has an important part to play in the initiation, implementation and culmination of projects. The activities in project approach provide the opportunities for children to acquire basic concepts and skills to assist them continue learning process in their primary school. (Curriculum Development Division, 2010). 1