Some people think of science as learning facts about the world around us. Others think of science and other ways of knowing as “the having of wonderful ideas” (Duckworth, 1987).

Young children are naturally curious and passionate about learning (Raffini, 1993).

In their pursuit of knowledge, they’re prone to poking, pulling, tasting, pounding, shaking, and experimenting.

“From birth, children want to learn and they naturally seek out problems to solve” (Lind, 1999, p. 79).

(www.earlychildhoodnews.com/earlychildhood/article)

When adults and children play scientifically together, children actively build scientific thinking and understanding. What is important is the scientific conversations you have about ‘what you are doing together’, ‘what you are noticing’ and ‘what you think you found out’.

The Science table at SOS is programmed and planned for to encourage children to engage, discuss, hypothesize and learn.

 

Sonny light table

EYLF Outcomes

  • Be open to new challenges and discoveries
  • Investigate, project and explore new ideas
  • Developing awareness of caring for the natural world
  • Observing changes in living and non living things
  • Uses senses to explore and respond to objects, experiments, equipment
  • Express wonder and interest
  • Explore the purpose and function of equipment
  • Interact with others to ask questions (why/how), explore concepts, clarify and challenge thinking.