This edited volume provides an in-depth exploration of a theoretical framework supporting Early Childhood Science Education research and teaching best practices. Particularly by presenting the concept of the Precursor Model from an epistemological, psychological, and didactical point of view at Early Childhood Science Education. The book examines and discusses the nature of Precursor Models and their use for early science teaching and learning. It scrutinizes different aspects of the construction of such models applied in early childhood education settings and contexts. Several empirical studies are presented within diverse scientific domains, as well as in international educational contexts. By providing a vary of examples of precursor models it makes this book a great companion for teachers aiming to teach children to understand and reason about topics such as: floating and sinking; shadow formation; water state changes; air; clouds and rain; electricity; inheritance and selection; as well as variation within populations. Finally, this volume supports the development of science education from an early age by using the original framework of a precursor model to mediate teaching and learning science at school during early childhood.

This book emphasizes the significance of teaching science in early childhood classrooms, reviews the research on what young children are likely to know about science and provides key points on effectively teaching science to young children. Science education, an integral part of national and state standards for early childhood classrooms, encompasses not only content-based instruction but also process skills, creativity, experimentation and problem-solving. By introducing science in developmentally appropriate ways, we can support young children’s sensory explorations of their world and provide them with foundational knowledge and skills for lifelong science learning, as well as an appreciation of nature. This book emphasizes the significance of teaching science in early childhood classrooms, reviews the research on what young children are likely to know about science, and provides key points on effectively teaching young children science. Common research methods used in the reviewed studies are identified, methodological concerns are discussed and methodological and theoretical advances are suggested.

This book moves beyond the traditional constructivist and social-constructivist view of learning and development in science. It draws upon cultural-historical theory in order to theorise early childhood science education in relation to our currently globalised education contexts. The book argues that concept development in science for young children can be better theorised by using Vygotsky’s concept of Imagination and creativity, Vygotsky’s theory of play, and his work on higher mental functions, particularly the concept of inter and intrapsychological functioning. Key concepts are extracted from the theoretical section of the book and used as categories for analysis in presenting evidence and new ideas in the second section of the book. In this second part of the book, the authors examine how science knowledge has been constructed within particular countries around the globe, where empirical research in early childhood science education has occurred. The third part of the book examines the nature of the encounter between the teacher and the child during science learning and teaching. In the final part of the book the authors look closely at the range of models and approaches to the teaching of early childhood science that have been made available to early childhood teachers to guide their planning and teaching. They conclude the book with a theoretical discussion of the cultural-historical foundation for early childhood science education, followed by a model of teaching scientific concepts to young children in play-based settings, including homes and community contexts.

Scientific contributions authored by distinguished experts from the field of early education are published periodically within the framework of the series Scientific Studies on the Work of the “Haus der kleinen Forscher” Foundation. This publication series serves to foster informed dialogue between the Foundation, scientists, and practitioners with the aim of giving all early childhood education and care centres, after-school centres, and primary schools in Germany scientifically sound support in fulfilling their early education mandate. This fifth volume in the series focuses on goals of science education at the level of the children, the early childhood professionals, and the pedagogical staff at after-school centres and primary schools, and on process-related quality criteria for science teaching at pre-primary and primary level. In their expert reports, Yvonne Anders, Ilonca Hardy, Sabina Pauen, Beate Sodian, and Mirjam Steffensky specify pedagogical content dimensions of the goals of early science education at pre-primary and primary school age. In addition to theoretically underpinning these goals, the authors present instruments for their assessment. In his expert report, Jörg Ramseger formulates ten quality criteria for science teaching. Early childhood professionals and pedagogical staff at after-school centres and primary schools can draw on these process-related criteria when planning lessons and conducting self-evaluations of science learning opportunities at pre-primary and primary level. The concluding chapter of the volume describes the implementation of these expert recommendations in the substantive offerings of, and the accompanying research on, the “Haus der kleinen Forscher“ Foundation.

You asked for it---now you've got it In a focus group at a recent NSTA convention, teachers of prekindergarten through second grade clamored for help. They do want easy-to-do science activities they can use for everyday teaching. But they don't want to be forced to adapt material meant for older children. So here's the solution. Start Young offers a wealth of simple educational activities designed to use right away with even the littlest scientists. The book includes a chapter of helpful background on the latest thinking about effective ways to introduce science in early childhood. But the bulk of the book is two dozen articles compiled from Science & Children, NSTA's award-winning journal for elementary school teachers

Young children - how they experience the world, interact with each other, pose questions and problems, and construct knowledge - form the basis for this insightful examination of early childhood science education. Authors Chaille and Britain explore the teacher's role in understanding and facilitating preschool and primary-school children's scientific explorations. Using three traditional content areas of science - chemistry, physics, and biology - and translating them into developmentally appropriate practices, The Young Child as Scientist leaves behind rigid views of science education. Both teachers and students of early childhood education are led to reconceptualize science in ways that have implications for their whole classroom. Without being a cookbook approach to curriculum planning or a purely theoretical approach, the text weaves practical examples and theory together to present constructivism as it can be implemented in real preschool and elementary classrooms. -- Provided by publisher