EDUC 207 - Science for Young Children

3 Credits: (3 lecture)

Course Description
The Science for Young Children course is a survey of science materials and activities used in a preschool classroom. Development of teaching skills to maintain curiosity and experimentation and basic math skills are included.

Prerequisite EDUC 101 or permission of instructor.

A. Develop goals and objectives for a preschool science curriculum.

B. Identify teaching skills that maintain curiosity and experimentation.

C. List activities and experiences that will comprise an age appropriate toddler and preschool science program.

D. Select appropriate materials and equipment for a science program for young children.

E. Integrate appropriate math skills into a science/math curriculum.

F. Design a project to demonstrate teaching of a science skill

Content
A. Writing a science curriculum.

B. Integrating science into the total activities of the day.

C. Integrating math into a science curriculum.

D. Age-appropriate science skills and concepts for young children.

E. Teaching strategies, attitudes and roles.

F. Appropriate materials in an early childhood setting to encourage scientific

investigation.

Student Evaluation
A. Evaluation is based upon demonstration lessons using knowledge gained in a class for age-appropriate experimentation and the construction of a science center.

B. Students will complete written tests and a final examination.

Bibliography
Copeland, Richard. How Children Learn Mathematics. New York: The Macmillan Company, 1984.

Lind, Karen K. Exploring Science in Early Childhood. Charlotte, NC: Delmar Press, 1991.

Lorbeer, George and Leslie W. Nelson. Science Activities for Young Children. Madison, WI: Brown and Benchmark, 1992.

Montessouri, Maria. From Childhood to Adolescence. New York: Schocken Book, 1973.

Neumann, Donald B. Experiences in Science for Young Children. Prospect Heights, IL: Waveland Press, 1992.

Saul, Wendy and Alan R. Newman. Science Fare. New York: Harper and Row Publishers, Inc., 1986.

Schickedanz, Judith et al. Strategies for Teaching Young Children. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1983.

Sesson, Edith. Nature with Children of all Ages. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1982.

Taylor, Barbara. Science Everywhere: Opportunities for Very Young Children. Fort Worth: Harcourt Brace College Publishers, 1993.

Wolfinger, Donna M. Teaching Science in the Elementary School. Boston, MA: Little, Brown, and Company, 1984.

Zaslavsky, Claudia. Preparing Young Children for Math: A Book of Games. New York: Schocken Books, 1986.

Zubrowski, Bernie. Messing Around with Baking Chemistry. Boston: Little, Brown, and Company, 1981.