Real Science in Preschool: Here, There, and Everywhere

If you've been wondering how to "do science" with preschoolers, you may be surprised to learn they are already doing it! This book will show you how to recognize and encourage the six behaviors that are part of the preschool scientific method (observing, classifying, experimenting, predicting, drawing conclusions, and communicating ideas). These behaviors, which lay the groundwork for children's later science learning in school, arise naturally during play in a learning environment that supports children's explorations and ideas. After an overview of early science learning and principles of positive adult-child interactions, this book takes you on a tour of several classroom interest areas to see what children are doing, to identify the science learning going on, and to think about strategies for promoting children's investigations. A final chapter discusses small-group times and provides a fully developed small-group-time science activity. So, tune up your "science senses" with Real Science in Preschool, and enjoy supporting the hands-on early science learning that takes place in every classroom interest area as well as outdoors!