A colleague asked me, “If you were going to provide a small starter set of science materials for family child care providers, what would you buy?” This group will be participating in some science education professional development. Most of these early childhood educators speak English as a second language but they might not read it very well. The children in their care vary in age from infants to school age children.

I suggested 5 plastic hand held magnifiers, 5 pipettes or droppers, a water color paint set with just 3-4 colors, a few extra brushes, and a book to look at, read and discuss with children of different ages—What Is A Scientist? By Barbara Lehn with photos by Carol Krauss (1998 Lerner Group).

I chose the magnifiers because they are durable and help us see details of structures such as flowers and rocks. The droppers are also a tool, good for making drops of water to play with, and help children practice their pincer grip. Children can use the paint set to make pictures of what they observe, and to explore color mixing. The book What Is A Scientist? has photos of a variety of children engaged in the practices of science. They are doing interesting work in activities that children can do in their home or at their child care provider’s home. There is text—one page with a small amount and one page with more explanation—and it ends with “Scientists have fun.”

What materials would you recommend be part of a starter kit for engaging young children in science learning?

(May I suggest a set of blocks too?)