Kindergarten Science Education

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that science education in kindergarten presents the most basic ground for students to understand that science involves them in a dynamic formation of concepts and explanations. The author points out that one teaching approach is the traditional teacher-directed form, used mainly with older students, and the other approach is the informal constructive model, which uses child-initiated activities. The paper underscores that there is no concrete research findings on which of the two approaches are more appropriate to use in kindergarten science education. Rather, many preschool classrooms employ a blend of the two teaching disciplines. The author presents the use of realias, realistic objects common in the environment, as an outstanding tool to teach children scientific concepts.

From the Paper:

"The scientific method can already be taught as early as child's kindergarten years. Kindergarten students must start their study of science using their five senses to observe their surroundings. The class must be set up in such a way that it would provide a motivating atmosphere where students learn to explore the physical world around them. Their natural inquisitiveness often leads them to investigate the world by observing and operating objects that are common in the surroundings. In addition, children learn to deduce their observations by gathering bits of information or data for them to base their scientific explanations."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Banks, Ron. (2004). The Early Childhood Education Curriculum Debate: Direct Instruction vs. Child-Initiated Learning. Clearinghouse on Early Education and Parenting. [online]. Available: http://ceep.crc.uiuc.edu/poptopics/preschoolcurr.html#learning.
• Bowman, B., Donovan, M.S. & Burns, S. (2000). Eager to Learn: Educating Our Preschoolers. (pp.128-181). Washington D.C.: National Academy of Science.
• Goffin, S. (2000). Role of Curriculum Models in Early Childhood Education. Clearinghouse on Early Education and Parenting. [online]. Available:http://ceep.crc.uiuc.edu/eecearchive/digests/2000/goffin00.html
• Public Schools of North Carolina. (2004). Kindergarten. North Carolina Standard Course of Study. [online]. Available: http://www.ncpublicschools.org/curriculum/science/scos/2004/12kindergarten
• Realia. (2006. February 24.). Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Available: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Realia.

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