In the research, it was aimed that children in the age group of 4-6 discover a different group of living things (fungi) living in addition to the plants and animals around them and to develop their awareness of living things. In addition, the study examined the effect of the activities prepared at the nature observation center on the cognitive and…

The recent decades have seen an increased focus on improving early science education. Goals include helping young children learn about pertinent concepts in science, and fostering early scientific reasoning and inquiry skills (e.g., NRC 2007, 2012, 2015). However, there is still much to learn about what constitutes appropriate frameworks that…

When doing spring planting activities, what does a teacher do while waiting for the plants to grow? This waiting time is a golden opportunity to explore another side of gardening--the creatures that make it all possible. Insects are an integral part of everyday world, having existed for over 300 million years; they are the most common animal on…

The aim of this study was to explore the extent to which the characteristics of two teaching interventions can bring about cognitive progress in preschoolers with regard to the factors rolling friction depends on, when it is applied to an object that is freely rolling on a horizontal surface. The study was conducted in three phases: pre-test,…

Young children's naive beliefs about physics are commonly studied as isolated pieces of knowledge. The current paper takes a different approach. It asks whether preschoolers interlink individual beliefs into larger configurations or Gestalts. Such Gestalts bring together knowledge such as how an object's mass relates to its sinking speed, how an…

Preschool Pathways to Science (PrePS[C]) is a science and math program for pre-K children that has been developed by a team of developmental psychologists in full collaboration with preschool directors, teachers and other staff. The PrePS[C] approach is rooted in domain-specific theories of development, theories that assume that different areas of…

Suggested are a few topics or techniques which should not be presented in planetarium astronomy until appropriate levels of potential comprehension are reached. (EB)

Demonstrates how Piaget's theoretical framework of a preschool science curriculum, with illustrative experiences using paints, sound, and food, can help teachers develop their ability to provide appropriate science experiences in their classroom. The framework can also help teachers evaluate the activities suggested in literature. (BB)

Early childhood education today is seen as multifaceted, with its philosophical roots involving three major views: (1) Behaviorist-Environmentalist; (2) Maturationist; and (3) Comprehensive-Interactionist. How these views translate into educational practice is detailed. (MP)

Examines science education in the United Kingdom for young children with special needs in science, and the theoretical underpinnings to children's early scientific experiences. Discusses methods of identifying young children with scientific aptitude. Examines use of children's early descriptions and explanations as emergent theorizing and use of…

This paper discusses Piagetian theory on children's cognitive development and its relevance to an early childhood science program. Children, at different stages of their development, exhibit characteristics of behavior or of thinking which may or may not affect how and what they learn in the classroom. It is suggested that subject-matter content,…

This guide details eduational standards as a way to improve the overall quality of early care and education programs within Kentucky and to ultimately result in positive outcomes for all young children. These standards address the essential knowledge and competencies that children are expected to achieve at various ages and may be used as a…