Science education is crucial to young children's discovery and understanding of the world around them. This third edition of Science in Early Childhood has been substantially updated to include the most current research, bringing together an author team of respected science education researchers from across Australia. New chapters address changing priorities in early childhood science education, introducing coverage of STEM, inclusivity, Indigenous understandings of science, science in outdoor settings, intentional teaching, and reflective practice. This text complements the Australian Early Years Learning Framework and the Australian Curriculum: Science. Concepts are brought to life through detailed case studies, practical tasks and activity plans. Instructors can further supplement learning with the extensive materials located on the new companion website. Renowned for its accessible and comprehensive content, Science in Early Childhood is an essential tool for all preservice early childhood educators. Highlights include: (1) Provides a thorough understanding of early childhood science education with reference to the Early Years Learning Framework and Australian Curriculum: Science; (2) Includes new chapters that reflect changing priorities in science education, introducing coverage of STEM, inclusively, Indigenous understandings of science, intentional teaching, and reflective practice; (3) Features a new companion website for lecturers which includes additional exercises and links to relevant online material. Contents include: (1) Introduction (Coral Campbell, Christine Howitt and Wendy Jobling); Part I: What Initial Information Should I Know to Teach Science?: (2) The Place of Science in The Early Years (Coral Campbell and Christine Howitt); (3) Science And The National Early Years Learning Framework (Andrea Nolan); (4) Science in the Australian Curriculum (Kathryn Paige); (5) Learning Theories Related to Early Childhood Science Education (Coral Campbell); Part II: How Can I Enhance Children's Learning of Science?: (6) Approaches to Enhance Science Learning (Coral Campbell and Kate Chealuck); (7) Teaching Science Inclusively with a Special Focus on Indigenous Learning (Kate Chealuck and Coral Campbell); (8) Using Play Pedagogy in Early Years Science Education (Jane Johnston and Coral Campbell); (9) Enhancing Young Children's Science Identity through Pedagogical Practices (Elaine Blake And Christine Howitt) (10) STEM Education in Early Childhood (Christine Preston); Part III: How Can I Use the Learning Environment to Enhance Children's Science Understandings?: (11) The Science Learning Environment (Coral Campbell, Wendy Jobling and Christine Howitt); (12) Learning Science in Informal Contexts: The Home and Community (Jill Robbins); (13) Learning Science in Outdoor Settings (Coral Campbell); Part IV: How Do I Plan And Assess in Science?: (14) Planning for Teaching Science in the Early Years (Christine Howitt); (15) Intentional Teaching of Science (Christine Howitt); (16) Observing, Assessing and Documenting Science Learning (Coral Campbell); and (17) Science Education Professional Learning through Reflective Practice (Christine Howitt and Coral Campbell).