Contemporary Perspectives on Science and Technology in Early Childhood Education

For decades, politicians, businessmen and other leaders have been concerned with the quality of education, including early childhood education, in the United States. While more than 50% of the children between the ages of three and five are enrolled in preschool and kindergarten programs in the United States, no state, federal, or national standards exist for science or technology education in preschool or kindergarten programs. Knowledge about science and technology is an important requirement for all in contemporary society. An increasing number of professions require the use of scientific concepts and technological skills and society as a whole depends on scientific knowledge.

Scientific and technological knowledge should be a part of every individual’s education. There are many ways to enhance young children’s scientific thinking and problem-solving skills as well as their technological abilities. The purpose of this volume is to present a critical analysis of reviews of research on science and technology education in early childhood education. The first part of the volume includes contributions by leading scholars in science, while the second part includes contributions by leading scholars in technology.

Bernard Spodek is Professor Emeritus of Early Childhood Education at the University of Illinois.  He began in 1952 as an early childhood teacher in the New York City area.  He received his doctorate from Teachers College, Columbia University. His research and scholarly interests are in the areas of curriculum, teaching, and teacher education in early childhood education. He was President of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (1976-78) and is currently President of the Pacific Early Childhood Education Research Association. Spodek was co-editor with Olivia N. Saracho of the "Yearbook in Early Childhood Education" Series (Teachers College Press). They are currently co-editors of the "Contemporary Perspectives in Early Childhood Education" Series (Information Age Publishers).Olivia N. Saracho is Professor of Education in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Maryland. Her areas of scholarship include family literacy, cognitive style, teaching, and teacher education in early childhood education.  Dr. Saracho was co-editor of the "Yearbook in Early Childhood Education" Series (Teachers College Press). Currently she is co-editor of the "Contemporary Perspectives in Early Childhood Education" Series (Information Age Publishers). Dr. Saracho's most recent books are "Contemporary Perspectives on Play in Early Childhood Education," "Studying Teachers in Early Childhood Settings, "and "Contemporary Perspectives on Language Policy and Literary Instruction in Early Childhood Education," co-edited with Bernard Spodek (Information Age Publishers).