A good deal of research is beginning to support the idea of emergent mathematics and that, much as with reading, children begin to learn mathematics from the day they are born. Infants and toddlers begin to notice relationships as they interact with their parents or primary caregivers through songs, rocking, and other verbal and nonverbal…

When children are invited to learn as they play, explore, discover, and celebrate, the commitment is being fulfilled to preserve and protect their birthright--a joyful education. In this brief column, the author relates the story of four-year-old Jackson. Jackson arrives in class excited at the prospect of visiting his Grandma after school. During…

This article focuses on a small experiment initiated by two three-year-old preschool children without the instruction or supervision of a teacher, while playing in the yard. During their playtime, they began to color the blacktop with chalk. They thought of a brilliant idea of pouring water over the chalk drawings and after the water dries up,…

The role of the teacher is basic in creating a learning environment which will recognize and respond to individual needs and differences. Innovative teacher education is necessary in order to develop teachers who will facilitate effective learning for children. (Author)

Provides activities for the study of light as a theme for December, which encompasses Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa. Includes science activities and suggested books for children and teachers. (HTH)

A group of early childhood teachers in an effort to reinforce the child development approach and counteract pressures for early rote learning, describes some specific cognitive learning events which can be found in the spontaneous play for young children. (ST)

Discusses the educational philosophy of learning through projects, and the teacher's role in planning learning centers. Describes several types of kindergarten learning centers which allow for varying degrees of self-directed or teacher-instructed learning. (NH)

Piagetian principles are illustrated with examples from the preschool classroom; authors conclude that teachers should stand back awhile and watch the children do their own learning.'' (Author/SP)

Describes a Science Open House for adults and children given by the Vassar College Laboratory Nursery School, emphasizing the importance of parent-teacher cooperative planning and the influence of Rachel Carson's viewpoints. Learning experiences were designed to investigate nature and sensory exploration, physical science, and mathematics. (SDH)

Describes how raising monarch, black swallowtail, and mourning cloak butterflies in a kindergarten class garden can provide opportunities for observation experiences. Includes detailed steps for instruction and describes stages of growth. Excerpts children's journal dictations to illustrate ways to support the discovery process. Describes related…

Adding plastic gutters to the nursery school's sand area began as a science curriculum enhancement and evolved into a whole curriculum that stimulated cognitive exploration, cooperative dramatic play, language enhancement, and general fun. The children manipulated the gutters and materials such as sand, water, buckets, and tennis balls in a…

Presents excerpts from the publication, "Science with Young Children," in which Bess-Gene Holt maintained that children (and adults) can experience science as a way of life. Other topics include sexism on the part of the science teacher and the concept of the child's "personal ecology." (BB)

Presents a method for initiating discovery learning in early childhood classrooms through the study of ants. Children read about ants, record observations, and conduct experiments. This method teaches children to explore the environment, organize activities, seek resources, and engage in scientific inquiry. Examples of children's work are…

Describes the use of small sandboxes with toy figures as an activity that helps children cope with the emotional upheaval in their lives. (HTH)

Notes the dangers of "generic" early childhood curricula. Draws on a teacher's journal to describe letting preschoolers build their own learning from "natural" learning materials--including plastic and cardboard pipes, palm branches, buckets, chains and pulleys--and how the teacher supported their growth. (HTH)