JoinData collection in early childhood
By Peggy Ashbrook
Posted on 2011-01-12
The January 2011 issue of Science and Children focuses on collecting data. In the Early Years column I wrote that “Young children collect data every day. They note who has pink sparkly shoes and find out who will share the ball on the playground. Children will be interested in collecting data if the topic is important to them, such as recording their favorite color.”
Data collection is an important part of science inquiry. Here are some examples of data collection methods for science investigations by young children:
Chart to compare which rolled down the ramp fastest: a marble, a wiffle ball or a plastic egg.
Tally chart counting up the class’s favorite of four smells.
Drawing to record the set up for an experiment.
Drawing observations as the experiment progresses.
Using photographs to record amount of rain in rain gauge.
Making drawings of a caterpillar as it grows.
Children graphing their favorite rainbow colors, described in Marie Faust Evitt’s comment below.
Once your students have collected data, what do you do with it?
Hold a conversation with a few students or a discussion with the entire class about any patterns they see; anything they notice in the representation of their observations, and any new questions they might have. Have your students write or dictate their thoughts.
Share the data collection methods your students have used and how they have supported student understanding by commenting below.
Peggy