ERIC Number: EJ868226
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2009-Nov
Pages: 7
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1538-6619
EISSN: N/A
Let's Find out! Preschoolers as Scientific Explorers
Brenneman, Kimberly
Young Children, v64 n6 p54-60 Nov 2009
Scientific Explorers both tall and small, ask questions about objects, living things, and events that interest or puzzle them. They seek answers by examining the world in specific ways that allow them to understand more about it. Young children are often described as natural scientists. They earn this description because they engage in many of the same behaviors that scientists do. The author has had the pleasure of working with other developmental psychologists, educators, and many young children to better understand and support preschoolers' scientific learning through a curricular approach called Preschool Pathways to Science (PrePS). A goal of PrePS is to take advantage of children's inquisitiveness to introduce them to some methods of science. One way to do this is by engaging children in simple investigations as part of classroom explorations of scientific concepts and themes, such as seasonal change and growth. In this article, the author presents two scientific investigations that engaged children in exploring seasonal changes and plant-growing activities.
Descriptors: Inquiry, Preschool Children, Scientific Concepts, Teaching Methods, Concept Formation, Science Instruction, Plants (Botany), Climate
National Association for the Education of Young Children. 1313 L Street NW Suite 500, Washington, DC 22205-4101. Tel: 800-424-2460; Tel: 202-232-8777; Fax: 202-328-2649; e-mail: editorial@naeyc.org; Web site: http://journal.naeyc.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Preschool Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A