scholarly journals Teaching and learning science during the early years

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 217-219
Author(s):  
Kathy Cabe Trundle ◽  
Mesut Saçkes

Over the past two decades, science has increasingly become an integral part of early childhood curricula, and research on teaching and learning science in early years has emerged as an established field of study. Collectively, the findings of a growing body of literature suggest that introducing science in developmentally appropriate ways may support young children’s learning of science concepts and scientific thinking skills. The increasing number of edited volumes and special issues, including this one, devoted to the topic of early childhood science teaching and learning indicates that early science education, as a field of study, will continue to attract researchers from early childhood and science education as well as educational and cognitive psychology.

2012 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-9
Author(s):  
Claudia Valentina Assumpção Gallian

This text begins with a concern related to teacher education which will focus on early childhood education, specifically in regards into the sciences and knowledge relating to the axes undertaken to frame the curriculum of the first stage of basic schooling as nature, culture and society. Science for young children should be considered as the foundation of all later development and is clear that it is not understood as it should be. But now, it is being more discussed taking account that these children have their development in a holistic perspective (Johnston, 2009; Johnston & Tunnicliffe, 2008). It should be noticed that the approach of knowledge related to science in Early Childhood Education, discussed in this text, does not take place in an isolated way, should be developed on a proposal mainly integrating the different fields of knowledge, to explore, in the articulation of knowledge, the wealth of exploitation and appropriating the world by the children. According to Johnston (2011) science teaching should be encouraged in the early years, aiming at reaching a holistic sense, that is, seeking not only understanding the scientific concepts but also developing attitudes and abilities related to them. Thus, the understanding of scientific concepts is closely related to both the development of knowledge in other areas such as geography, history and mathematics and to the social skills, such as collaboration, cooperation, etc and attitudes such as enthusiasm, initiative, curiosity etc.


Author(s):  
Sari Havu-Nuutinen ◽  
Sarika Kewalramani ◽  
Nikolai Veresov ◽  
Susanna Pöntinen ◽  
Sini Kontkanen

AbstractThis research is a comparative study of Finnish and Australian science curricula in early childhood education (EC). The study aims to figure out the constructivist components of the science curriculum in two countries as well as locate the similarities and differences in the rationale and aims, contents, learning outcomes, learning activities, teacher’s role and assessment. The curriculum analysis framework developed by Van den Akker (2003) was used as a methodological framework for the curricula analysis. Based on the theory-driven content analyses, findings show that both countries have several components of constructivist curriculum, but not always clearly focused on science education. The Australian Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) integrates children’s science learning within their five specific learning outcomes, whereas the Finnish national core curriculum for early childhood education and care has no defined learning outcomes in general. The Finnish curriculum more clearly than EYLF encompasses science and environmental education as a learning domain, within which children participate in targeted scientific activities to gain procedural knowledge in specific environmental-related concepts. More focus should be turned to the teachers’ role and assessment, which are not determined in science context in both countries. This international comparative study calls for the need of a considered EC curriculum framework that more explicitly has science domains with specifically defined rationale, aims, content areas, learning outcomes and assessment criteria. The implications lie in providing early childhood educators with tangible and theoretically solid curriculum framework and resources in order to foster scientific thinking in young children.


Author(s):  
Gabriel Lemkow ◽  
Anna Carballo ◽  
Montserrat Pedreira ◽  
Imma Brugarolas ◽  
Jordi Cantons ◽  
...  

2016 ◽  
Vol 54 (9) ◽  
pp. 1319-1348 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher G. Wright

This exploratory design experiment investigates Black male youth’s participation in a science-learning environment designed to conceptualize the practice of critique as improvisational performance. The research highlights the young men’s deployment of a linguistic practice, signifying, used to co-construct and enact the practice of collaborative critique. Implications include calling for the continued reimagining of teaching and learning science within urban contexts, including the need for educators to develop the required skills for recognizing and building upon students’ potential resources. The theoretical and pedagogical choices incorporated in this study contrasts often-utilized discourses of deficiency associated with science education in urban contexts.


Author(s):  
Diana Carolina Durango Isaza ◽  
Clara Inés Gómez Marín ◽  
Enrique Arias Castaño

This research arose from the need to consolidate a meaningful bilingual methodology for children from three to five years of age from low socioeconomic backgrounds belonging to the public education system, where they could begin learning English and Spanish by means of a bilingual methodology that provides them with the same opportunities as middle to upper class children. Its aim is to implement an Early Sequential Bilingual Methodology Model in a public Early Childhood Development Center - ECDC (Centro de Desarrollo Infantil - CDI), and to collect data from class observations, student’s responses, early childhood teachers’ and English teachers’ views as well as parents’ perceptions towards its methodology and implementation in order to consolidate the model. Likewise, it will provide children with new opportunities to develop higher cognitive and high order thinking skills that can maximize their academic performance throughout their school years. This present Early Sequential Bilingual Model is a descriptive case study funded by a public university in Colombia and was implemented in a public ECDC (CDI) in Pereira (Risaralda-Colombia) based on the bilingual methodological proposals portrayed by Rodao (2011) and Arias et al. (2015). This research project depicts and systematizes the most predominant methodological techniques employed when teaching English at public ECDCs (CDIs) and interprets their effectiveness based on the data collected from interviews, fieldnotes and surveys. This article describes the responses of three- to five-year-old children to audiovisual material implemented in class.


2010 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 123-157
Author(s):  
Nasser Mansour

Research supports the idea that teachers are crucial change agents in educational reform and that teachers’ beliefs are precursors to change. This study investigates Egyptian science teachers’ beliefs about teaching and learning science through Science Technology and Society STS education. Data were collected using a questionnaire. The findings of this study suggest that the Egyptian science teachers hold mixed beliefs (constructivist and traditional) concerning science education goals, their roles and their students’ roles within teaching and learning science through STS and concerning teaching/learning science through STS. The findings shed light on the relationship between teachers’ beliefs and their practises. Lastly, the study revealed a number of factors that caused inconsistency between teachers’ beliefs and their practices.


2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-55
Author(s):  
Gitana Petrauskienė ◽  
Ramunė Vėželytė

The aim of today’s natural science education is literacy development from the early years. The project-based natural science education happens in a deliberately prepared natural environment: children may work in groups, institutions, or outside institutions. The activities aim at preschool children’s personality growth as well as gaining needed competencies and progress. The realization of the project-based natural sciences’ method distinguishes preschool children’s individual and teamwork skills. It is also a very useful tool for developing pupils’ consciousness, activeness, creativity, and responsibility. Moreover, the preservation of animate and inanimate nature along with the rational use of resources is identified. The project-based natural science education is closely related to the integration of innovative information technologies. Preschool children are encouraged to take part in various interactive games and activities. In this way the children’s thinking skills are developed. Also, the integration of information technologies motivates children to engage in concrete patronizing, nature-friendly, and environment-friendly activities. Keywords: natural science education, learning through play, practical activities.


2019 ◽  
Vol 101 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-17
Author(s):  
R. Clarke Fowler

In the United States, 48 states have recognized the educational importance of the early years by awarding stand-alone early childhood education (ECE) licenses that require specialized training in teaching young children. Yet, at the same time, teachers with elementary education (ELED) licenses are allowed to teach kindergarten in 34 states and 1st through 3 rd grade in more than 45 states. This means that teachers may be licensed to teach young children without receiving specialized early childhood training. R. Clarke Fowler explores the extent of the licensure overlap, the reasons for it, and the effects it has on early childhood education. He recommends moving toward a preK-3 license that requires teachers to learn developmentally appropriate practices for the education of young children.


Author(s):  
Ignasia Renatus Mligo

Early childhood investment in young children 0-8 years is important. It offers a good start in life involving caring, nurturing, and safe environment to children who are the future hope of any society and nation. This chapter seeks to clarify the significance of investing quality early childhood education services for future industrial development and economic growth in Tanzania underpinned by economic growth perspectives. This chapter reports findings from an interpretive phenomenological design in three Teacher education and preschool settings in Tanzania with 10 tutors, 8 preschool teachers, and 8 parent participants. Data was generated using semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and documentary reviews. Findings indicated that parents and community from the areas studied lack knowledge of benefits of early investment in education. The study recommends the need for effective future practice directed at improving human development in early years in Tanzania. To achieve these aims, government policy planners need to locate favorable teaching and learning environments.


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