Spotlight on Young Children: Exploring Science - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1928896944 ISBN 13: 9781928896944

Publisher: The National Association for the Education of Young Children, 2013

Synopsis

Children’s early SCIENCE experiences, at school and at home, are the foundation for future science learning and comprehension―throughout the school years and life. This collection of articles from NAEYC’s journal Young Children showcases exciting ways to support children’s science explorations from infancy through age 8. The authors offer ideas for science-rich environments and hands-on activities that promote young learners’ investigations and discovery. The articles describe teaching approaches and child-initiated projects that introduce children to scientific and engineering practices, and concepts in the physical, life, and earth and space sciences and in engineering and technology. The book includes a professional development guide with questions and activities to help readers reflect on current science teaching practices and incorporate new ones. This book is part of NAEYC’s best-selling Spotlight series―great resources for the college classroom and for professional development.

About this title

About the Author

Amy Shillady is journal editor for NAEYC’s award-winning Young Children. She facilitates the peer review process, performs developmental editing of articles, and serves as the primary editor for journal columns. Amy also edits selected NAEYC Spotlight Series books.

Leah Schoenberg Muccio was editorial associate at NAEYC.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Teachers adjust experiences to the developmental level of the children. In infant and toddler settings, explorations focus on children’s senses and teachers help describe the experiences. With 3- and 4-year-olds, teacher–child conversations begin to focus on why things are happening, and children look for patterns across many related experiences as evidence for their ideas. As children get older, their capacity to communicate their explorations and think analytically about what they observe increases. They record their findings in science journals and use simple math processes as they collect data.For all ages it is important for the teacher to encourage and support problem solving. The following classroom vignette illustrates both the content and process of science, as well as the essential relationship between experience and conversation.

Edition details

• Publisher: The National Association for the Education of Young Children
• Publication date: 2013
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1928896944
• ISBN 13: 9781928896944
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 80
• Editor: Amy Shillady