In early childhood education, science is about doing. Hands-on learning is so important for young children, science is sometimes called sciencing.
Ginny Streckewald writes:
"Spell check may not like the word sciencing but I believe it makes perfect sense in the world of young children. Science is a noun but to describe what our future scientists are doing in classrooms across the country today, we definitely need an action word – a verb. As a three-year-old with a magnifying glass once explained to me, 'I like to science!'"
Through sciencing and STEM activities, children learn how their world works. Emerging science is interconnected with sustainability, nature, and being a caring and kind human being. Teaching science in early childhood is not about teacher-directed experiments but children immersing themselves in, and nurturing, nature.
EYLF learning outcomes
The Early Years Learning Framework has relevant learning outcomes. Through science, children may:
- become socially responsible and show respect for the environment (2.4)
- show commitment, enthusiasm, persistence and confidence (4.1)
- engage in problem solving, inquiry, experimentation, hypothesising, researching and investigating (4.2).
How to conduct science experiments
While there are many popular science experiments suitable for early childhood education, experiments will have greater meaning if they are contextually relevant to the children's lives.
Respond to your children's interests and questions to create your own experiment. Follow these steps:
- Choose a question (e.g. Do bees like our new flowers?).
- Make a prediction about the answer - a hypothesis (e.g. Yes, they do!).
- Conduct experiments to test your prediction. (e.g. Children watch the flowers to see if bees land on them).
- Observe what happens. Gather information and data (e.g. Children keep a simple chart, recording every time they see a bee on a flower).
- Make a conclusion. (e.g. Yes, the bees like our new flowers because they spend a lot of time near them).
Learning experiences
Mix common ingredients
Encourage children to use their observation skills. What happens when you mix two ingredients? What does it look like? Do they mix easily?
- Water and oil.
- Water, oil and detergent.
- Water and salt.
- Water and food colouring.
- Vinegar and bicarb soda.
- Milk and flour.
Community connections
Be citizen scientists
Early childhood educators, children, and their families can become involved in citizen science, which involves ordinary people working alongside scientists to collect data and solve real-world problems. Research citizen science projects that relate to your children's interests.
Discussions
- What is the difference between guessing and knowing?
- Encourage children to think about why something is happening. Can they make a guess (a hypothesis)? How can they test their guess to find out if it is correct?
Interactions
- Encourage children to predict the outcome of their actions during play: "What do you think will happen if you do that?".
- Encourage children to think slowly and carefully before answering questions.
Events
- 11th February is International Day of Women and Girls in Science
- Australian National Science Week is in August
- 10th November is World Science Day
- International Week of Science is in November
Resources
Photos
View thousands of science and nature photos on CSIRO Science Image.
Picture books
Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty
Music
Teeny Tiny Stevies: Science