Science and Literacy

“A child’s world is fresh and new and beautiful, full of wonder and excitement. Exploring nature with your child is largely a matter of becoming receptive to what lies all around you. It is learning again to use your eyes, ears, nostrils, and finger tips, opening up the disused channels of sensory impression. And with your child you can ponder the mystery of a growing seed, even if it be only one planted in a pot of earth in the kitchen window.” (Carson, 1965)

“Childhood Is A Special Time of questioning, exploring, and finding about this fascinating world that surrounds us. We recognize the questions forming in their minds even before they speak: What is this thing? Is it alive? Where did it come from? What does it do? Will it bite me?” (Carin, Bass, & Contant, 2005)

Why Should Children Learn Science?

“Science provides children an opportunity to exercise their innate curiosity, learn about the natural world, and develop their problem-solving skills. Children wonder about many things. Why does it rain? What happens to the water when puddles dry up? How do fish breathe? What are the underground homes of ants like? Why does the moon appear to change its shape? Science is a new way for children to find answers to their questions. Through ‘Inquiry” we encourage young children to focus on questions about the natural world.” (Carin, Bass, & Contant, 2005)

Recommended Reading

Carson, R. (1965). The Sense of Wonder: A Celebration of Nature for Parents and Children. New York: Harper Collins.

A Nest is Noisy, Aston, D. & Long, S.
A Butterfly is Patient, Aston, D. & Long, S.
Leaves Fall Down Learning About Autumn Leaves, Bullard, L.
Sunflower House, Bunting, E.
The Tiny Seed, Carle, E.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Carle, E.
The Very Busy Spider, Carle, E.
The Magic School Bus Lost in the Solar System, Cole, J.
My Little Book of Life Cycles, de la Bedoyere, C.
Planting a Rainbow, Ehlert, L.
Nuts to You!, Ehlert, L.
Apples, Gibbons, G.
In the Middle of Fall, Henkes, K.
Pumpkin Jack, Hubbell, W.
Bird Builds a Nest, Jenkins, M.
Little Acorn, Joyce, M.
The Carrot Seed, Krauss, R.
We are Water Protectors, Lindstrom, C.; Goade, M.
Snowflake Bentley, Martin, J.
Bees, Marsh, L.
I am a Bee, McDonald, R. & J.
All From A Walnut, Paquette, A.; Sala, F.
Apple Picking Day!, Ransom, C.
Let’s Find Out About Ice Cream, Reid, M.
Rah Rah Radishes A Vegetable Chant, Sayre, A.
Green, Seeger, L.
Curious About Snow, Shaw, G.
Owl Moon, Yolen, J.

Tools and Techniques for Tuning in to the Natural World

Observing – “The process of gathering information using your senses and instruments, such as magnifying glasses, or telescopes. Children use their senses to explore the world from the day they are born.” (Carin, Bass, & Contant, 2005)

“We are also tuned into parts of the natural world where we can watch nature over time. Small animals in cages, birds, bug houses, ant farms, fish in aquariums, and butterfly gardens all permit us to study more closely, out of context, the structure and behavior of animals.” (Chaille, C., & Britain, L., 2003)

Measuring – “It is often important in science to quantify observations through measurement. For example, knowing the length of the roots and stems of developing plants and how these variables change from day to day can be important for understanding plant growth.”(Carin, Bass, & Contant, 2005)
Recording Nature – “Sometimes we see things in a photograph, film or videotape that escape our eyes at first glance. Think creatively about how children can pay attention to the natural world. Close observation and different ways of “capturing” and sharing what you see can be represented through drawing, photography, writing, and videotaping – and then using that as the basis for a discussion of all that was seen. ” (Chaille, C., & Britain, L., 2003)

Fun growing sunflowers with parents, caregivers and their prekindergarten children who plant seeds and answer a curious child’s question, “How do plants grow?”

About The Author
Recommended Web Sites
References

Observing nature with prekindergarten children and learning how birds survive in their natural habitat.

Recommended Reading

Carson, R. (1965). The Sense of Wonder: A Celebration of Nature for Parents and Children. New York: Harper Collins.

A Nest is Noisy, Aston, D. & Long, S.
A Butterfly is Patient, Aston, D. & Long, S.
Leaves Fall Down Learning About Autumn Leaves, Bullard, L.
Sunflower House, Bunting, E.
The Tiny Seed, Carle, E.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Carle, E.
The Very Busy Spider, Carle, E.
The Magic School Bus Lost in the Solar System, Cole, J.
My Little Book of Life Cycles, de la Bedoyere, C.
Planting a Rainbow, Ehlert, L.
Nuts to You!, Ehlert, L.
Apples, Gibbons, G.
In the Middle of Fall, Henkes, K.
Pumpkin Jack, Hubbell, W.
Bird Builds a Nest, Jenkins, M.
Little Acorn, Joyce, M.
The Carrot Seed, Krauss, R.
We are Water Protectors, Lindstrom, C.; Goade, M.
Snowflake Bentley, Martin, J.
Bees, Marsh, L.
I am a Bee, McDonald, R. & J.
All From A Walnut, Paquette, A.; Sala, F.
Apple Picking Day!, Ransom, C.
Let’s Find Out About Ice Cream, Reid, M.
Rah Rah Radishes A Vegetable Chant, Sayre, A.
Green, Seeger, L.
Curious About Snow, Shaw, G.
Owl Moon, Yolen, J.

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