Exploring Science In Early Childhood

Exploring Science in Early Childhood makes teaching a basic understanding of science skills to young people more achievable and successful than ever. In using this book to teach future educators, such top universities as Harvard recognize that the activities and applications presented in developmental sequence strongly support children learning. When put into practice, the approaches espoused in this edition will enable children to construct the concepts and skills imperative for learning a basic understanding of science. The same and skills also play an importance role in understanding mathematics and are closely related to reading and reading comprehension skills. Developed in cooperation with teachers at each developmental level, the concepts, skills, and instructional strategies are aligned with national standards in science, principles and standards for mathematics, and early childhood standards.

The Association for Science Education Book Award 2016, Finalist. Science in the early years is about more than developing understanding of key scientific concepts, it is about encouraging imagination, creativity and curiosity and nurturing key scientific skills to form a firm base for learning. Understanding how best to do this for young children aged 3-7 is the focus of the book. By concentrating on practical and naturally occurring experiences the authors look at meeting the needs of the curriculum with children at the centre of their own learning. Chapters look at how to work with children to: Find out and develop their own ideas Get them inquiring scientifically Use evidence to support their views This book will really help develop the whole child across the curriculum and make sure they have the skills they need for later learning.

The new third edition of this best-selling book focuses on early childhood education from birth through age eight. Based on theories of child development, this resource depicts how to integrate scientific concepts with music and movement, language arts, social studies, and art. The book uses a problem-solving approach to discuss constructive concepts along with a balance of naturalistic, informal, and structured activities and experiences. The importance of literature and writing in science education is emphasized. Also, the book describes how to use dramatic play and thematic projects as vehicles for integration. Key Features include: -- compatible with national standards and guidelines -- an emphasis is placed on problem solving -- a developmental sequence guides users in planning and instruction -- developmentally appropriate assessment, evaluation, and instructional strategies for the national movement toward authentic assessment

Giving early years practitioners and students the confidence to effectively support scientific exploration and investigation with young children, this book explains the science behind young children′s knowledge and understanding of the world. Linking theory to good early years practice, the emphasis throughout the book is on recognizing young children as competent, creative thinkers and building on their ideas. The reader is encouraged to think carefully about the role of the adult in supporting child-initiated learning and discovery by providing open ended resources, asking productive questions and observing carefully. The authors provide essential background information for all the key areas of scientific knowledge supported by practical ideas suitable for babies, toddlers and children aged 3 to 5 years. For each of these ideas, practice and theory are linked by highlighting the skills, attitudes and dispositions to observe and the questions to ask to challenge young children′s thinking and plan for the next stages in their learning. Chapters cover: - the place of science in early years curricula in the UK - the processes of science and the role of the adult in supporting young children′s scientific learning - using open ended resources to create a science-rich environment - essential background knowledge, covering all areas of early years science - ideas to use as starting points for exploration and investigation, indoors and outdoors - pointers for observational assessment and planning - suppliers of resources and equipment By making clear links to practice, and providing ideas to use with babies and toddlers as well as with 3-5 year old children, this book enables the reader to fully exploit the potential for exploration and investigation in any early years setting. Pat Brunton and Linda Thornton are both Education Consultants based in Cheltenham. They run their own training and consultancy company alc associates, and edit Early Years Update.

The Association for Science Education Book Award 2016, Finalist. Science in the early years is about more than developing understanding of key scientific concepts, it is about encouraging imagination, creativity and curiosity and nurturing key scientific skills to form a firm base for learning. Understanding how best to do this for young children aged 3-7 is the focus of the book. By concentrating on practical and naturally occurring experiences the authors look at meeting the needs of the curriculum with children at the centre of their own learning. Chapters look at how to work with children to: Find out and develop their own ideas Get them inquiring scientifically Use evidence to support their views This book will really help develop the whole child across the curriculum and make sure they have the skills they need for later learning.

Teaching science to young children has long been an area of intense interest and concern to educators. Investigating Science with Young Children is specifically designed to address this concern in a practical, timely, and enjoyable way. Originally planned as an extension of the ten-booklet series, Science Experiences for Young Children (Teachers College Press, 1975), this book outlines 85 lively activities the teacher can use in guiding three-, four-, and five-year-olds in a fruitful exploration of science. The first part of the book presents a theoretical explanation of the process approach advocated by the author; the second, the activities themselves: Exploring Water, Mixing Colors, Setting Objects in Motion, to name a few. Investigating Science with Young Children offers an informed guide to resources necessary to implement an effective and productive science program. The book will help teachers fully understand the process approach and encourage them to develop their own science activities for the classroom. As the author states, “It is not enough to read about process science; you must use it to find out how much children enjoy and learn from this method.” This book will serve as a supplemental text for early childhood and primary science curriculum courses and as an invaluable resource for teachers. “There is much of value here.” —School Science & Mathematics “Teaching science by a process approach is an exciting adventure for both teachers and children. There is neither a predetermined sequence of events for children nor a specific set of directions for the teacher. Process science is an open-ended approach, and the direction learning will take is determined, for the most part, by the children.” —From the Preface

"Much of the content in this book is adapted from Teaching Young Children (TYC), NAEYC's award-winning magazine ..."--Page [104]