“What kind of science do you teach young children?!” people sometimes ask when they hear that the preschool curriculum includes science. Being able to share how the science activities are age appropriate, lay the groundwork for deeper understanding in later years, and support literacy and math learning, helps families understand that science is a natural part of an early childhood program. Including science activities does not mean that the program is only for children whose thinking is advanced beyond their years, nor does the program exclude imaginative play and artistic work.
Communicating what early childhood science is all about encourages families to support science learning at home. Here is a book and a few downloadable resources that can help.
What is a Scientist? by Barbara Lehn with photographs by Carol Krauss (1999, Millbrook Press): beginning with “A scientist is a person who asks questions and tries different ways to answer them,” and ending with “A scientist has fun,” this book’s simple statements and clear photographs describe science as children (and scientists) practice it.
From Australian government, the National Science and Technology Centre’s Questacon—a 36-page pamphlet with wonderful photos and general instructions for activities which are easy to implement at home.
Center for Inquiry Science: sample “Science Out of School” newsletter articles describing simple activities with the goal of “communicating to parents that science activities can be accessible, fun, and informative.”
TryScience—the Parent Page:  download a generic or city-specific brochure providing useful information and hints on science activities for parents and families everywhere, and listing local science resources.
Will you list your favorite books or pamphlets in a comment (click on the word “comments” below)?
Peggy