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o Young children learn science through playful experiences
o Doing science comes naturally for young children
o The Science processes children engage in are more important than learning science facts
o Early childhood science teachers serve as "facilitators" of learning, rather than "instructors"
o As children engage in science
experiences, adults observe children's actions and listen to their
conversations so that
they can follow children's leads
o Science processes occur in all parts of the classroom and outdoors, not just at the science table
o Children are intrinsically
motivated when they have materials to enjoy, have some control over
their learning and enjoy
success when involved in science processes
o Children and adults should
feel free to engage in science processes, understanding that
exploration is more
important than right or wrong answers
o A primary role of the early
childhood science teacher is to provide an appropriate learning
environment and opportunities
for children to explore, represent, and share their discoveries
o Children learn best when they have their own science materials to explore
o Trial and error, cause and effect are natural parts of the scientific learning experience
o Science activities and materials
need to be culturally relevant and part of a child's every day
world
o Every child, regardless of gender and ability, needs to have equal access to science experiences
o Young children with disabilities
are best served in classrooms where they are involved in science
processes along with
typically developing peers
o Adults need to model excitement
and enthusiasm when involved in science processes and when
planning and anticipating
discoveries
o Children in early childhood programs where they engage in active learning are more likely to succeed in school and in life than children who attend more teacher-directed programs
o Peer modeling, lively interaction,
and conversation are essential parts of the early childhood
science curriculum
o When talking to children about science, it is important to honor their choice of words
o In early childhood classrooms there should be a balance between child-initiated and teacher-initiated science activities
o Effective early childhood
teachers must be effective parent educators who involve families in
their children's science
activities
© 1997 All rights reserved.
"A HEAD START ON SCIENCE" DEMONSTRATION PROJECT
California State University, Long Beach, Department of Science Education
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