For the last nine years I have worked in early childhood. One area that seems to be lacking in many early childhood environments is science. I have heard many co-workers say that it’s too hard for younger children to understand science topics or it’s too messy to do “experiments” with young children. After learning about science inquiry I began to understand that science can very easily be done with younger children, so I decided to research this topic for my blog.
There are many reasons to include science in the early childhood classroom; the first being that children are naturally curious. Children explore their world all the time. They try to make sense of what is going on around them and begin creating a schema through each experience.
A child in a high chair drops everything over the side to see if it will fall, another child plays peek-a-boo again and again until the “boo” is no longer a surprise. It is our job as teachers to encourage curiosity in the classroom and provide children a place to extend their natural curiosity.
The second reason to include science in the early childhood classroom is that as children begin to experience science exploration in the classroom they begin the emerging stages of science inquiry. Children will explore the material, ask questions, investigate, record their work and communicate it to others. While these skills are acquired throughout the science inquiry process they can be applied to many areas of academic study later in life.
Many teachers and parents may view social skills, math skills and other academic areas more important during the early childhood years. Scientific inquiry can provide many of the necessary skills needed to do well in all other subject areas. What better way to learn social skills than working in a group or team?
I agree that young children should be exposed to science education. The more children are exposed to science and science inquiry, the more comfortable they will be with asking questions and exploring new ideas/concepts! It seems like children are already teaching themselves some aspects of science through all of the curiosity and exploration they do. Teachers should be there to help guide them in the right direction starting at a young age.
ReplyDeleteYou're right; kids are so naturally curious that science inquiry seems like a natural fit! Like Nicole said, kids are already teaching themselves science without even knowing it. I think it's up to the teacher to make that learning even more meaningful and to connect student's lives to science concepts at every level of school but especially at a very early age like early childhood.
ReplyDeleteI could not agree with you more! Sometimes you walk into an early childhood classroom and it often seems like the children are doing busy work or coloring pictures to take home to their parents. How easy would it be to set up a small experiment in the classroom and have the children explore through their senses. It really upsets me when I hear teachers say that they don't want to use a certain experiment or materials because it is too messy. Children often love doing things where they can physically "dig in" and get a little messy. One of the things I know that my 4 year olds loved was writing their name in shaving cream. Now, occasionally you will get that one student who doesn't want to do it, but that's when you offer choices for students. I often think that adults underestimate what children are capable of doing at such a young age. I agree that they are very curious of their surroundings.
ReplyDeleteThese are all great points. I definitely agree in the idea that we should be encouraging inquiry at these young ages. If we encourage students to inquire, it will not only help them with science, but with all topics! Inquiry is an important learning tool and one that children can loose easily if it is not encouraged and taught while they are this young. I agree with everyone that we should be allowing youngsters to do science experiments. Who cares if it is messy, they are learning which is what is really important! Plus it makes learning about the topic fun!
ReplyDeleteChildren want to know everything. They are asking why to everything that happens around them, and these are pivotal times to explain science through inquiry! It is important we are exposing children to a variety of subjects at young ages because they are up and ready for anything. Like Jessica said I also feel sometimes we underestimate what kids can do and understand. It is important we are reaching are children in every way possible and that includes science.
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