1. Guiding Science Experiences

2. What is science?
It is the study of natural processes and their products
Requires the development of curiosity and imagination
Involves measuring, comparing, classifying, predicting, and making thrilling discoveries

3. Why study science? Gives kids opportunities to . . .
Observe and explore
Note differences and likenesses
Make predictions and solve problems
Build theories to explain what they see
Collect samples
Develop new interests and skills
Listen to sounds

4. Planning Science Activities
Some of the most successful ones are unplanned
Best to plan out science activities
Focusing on a theme helps children learn about a world by structuring and organizing information
Give children time to play with, examine, and try the science materials and equipment

5. Science Area
Best located near a kitchen so there us access to both heat and water sources
An outdoor science area can contain garden space or area for small animals, garden tools, insects, nets, etc.

6. Equipment and Materials
Can often be obtained at little or no cost
Need to consider safety of items and whether children have skill to use them
Most centers have a science table, which should have a focus to advance learning
Change materials often to increase kids’ motivation to explore
Science table should sit away from walls

7. Equipment and Materials - Examples
Plastic reptiles and books about reptiles at science table
Centerpieces at snack or lunch such as bowl of pinecones or bouquet of flowers
Playground equipment such as a teeter-totter to demonstrate laws of balance

8. Role of Teacher
Offer space, materials, activities that encourage discovery
Provide constant supervision
Learn to let children to work alone
Unneeded input can stifle curiosity
Provide many chances for children to observe

9. Role of Teacher, cont’d Ask fewer questions that require more thought
Open-ended questions promote discussion and require decision-making skills
Close-ended questions demand few decision-making skills and are most often answered with yes or no
Give children time to respond

10. Five Basic Process Skills
Observing objects using the five senses
Drawing conclusions from observations based on past experience
Classifying objects into sets based on more observable properties
Comparing objects by measuring and counting
Communicating by describing objects, relationships, and occurrences
**Give examples of activities that would help promote these skills

11. Developing the Child’s Understanding of Senses
As children learn more about their sense, they become aware of how to explain their surroundings
Examples:
Feeling – reaching into a box and identifying objects
Hearing – matching a child’s voice with the correct child

12. Seeing – name what is missing from a group
Smelling – having children identify items with distinct odors placed in small cups
Tasting – blindfolding children and giving them food samples

13. Teaching Science Concepts
Below are some of the concepts with science curriculum
- Color - Air
- Water - Magnets
- Food - Wheels
- Child’s own body - Field trips/ walks
- Gardening - Animals

14. Sign up for two of the concepts listed
With you and your daycare group create a poster that addresses that main points discussed in the book and list 3 possible lesson ideas