Teaching Science Concepts in the Preschool Classroom

Science Curriculum

Science is “the systematic study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observation and experimentation”.

How would you define “science” for a preschool child?

What is Science?

Helps children understand their worldEnhances curiosity Helps with classification skillsBuilds vocabularyDevelops math skills such as sets, sorting,

color, shape, temperature, size etc.Helps children understand and explore their 5

sensesHelps children learn to problem solveHelps children learn to predict results of events

Why Teach Science to Preschoolers?

Foster spontaneous science activitiesPrepare materials ahead of timeBe prepared for a messUse the outdoors as a science classroom Use a variety of materials: objects from

nature, art materials, measuring instruments, items children have collected from outside, recycled objects, food items and tools and etcetera

Planning Science Activities

Through science activities children should learn:

To observe objects using five sensesDraw conclusions based on past experiencesClassify objects based on observable

propertiesCompare sets by measuring and countingCommunicate with others about

the observable qualities of objects and their experiences

Scientific Exploration

Touch: objects have different texturesSmell: objects can be named by their scentSeeing: visual memory skills, classify by

sightHearing: world is full of different soundsTaste: categorize foods by their flavorActivity Ideas???

Science Concepts for PreschoolersThe 5 Senses

Color: helps children describe the natural world

Water: flows (gravity), dissolves foods, makes things wet, fills any shape container, float/sink, is absorbed by some things, can turn into ice or steam

Air: air takes up space, wind makes things move, weather affects air movement

Activity Ideas???

Science Concepts for Preschoolers Color, Water, and Air

Magnets: magnets only push or pull objects with iron in them, magnets can be weak or strong

Food: changes in physical properties occur during cooking, following a recipe matters, 5 senses

Human Body: people grow and change, people look different and similar

Activity Ideas???

Science Concepts for PreschoolersMagnets, Food, and the Human Body

Animals: have certain needs for survival, live in different environments, wild vs. domestic, different body coverings, move in different ways, pets require care

Nature: conservation of resources,diversity of species, backyard ecosystem, weather, recycling, global connections

Gardening: understand the process by which plants grow fromseeds, seeds can be eaten, plants need care to survive, growth takes time, plants are different & similar

Activity Ideas???

Science Concepts for PreschoolersAnimals, Nature, and Gardening

Wheels: wheels are round and roll, they turn on an axis, machines have wheels, they make moving things easy

Pulley: Wheel with a rope on it that makes it easier to lift things

Inclined plane: flat surface makes it easier to push heavy objects up or down

Screw: an inclined plane wrapped around a sphere that makes it easier to connect things

Wedge: can be used to push things apartLever: the long arm makes it easy to pull things our or

push them upActivity Ideas???

Science Concepts for PreschoolersSimple Machines

We will be making a science activity resource book.

Everyone will make their own page for the book.

Will be a graded activity and will be worth 30 points. We will complete this on Wednesdays in class.

Example and blank form are in Mrs. Krebs’ Passouts folder.

You will type on the document called “Science Activities for Preschool Children”

Example is called “Science Activities for Preschool Children Example”

Science Activity Ideas

Science Activity Exampl

e

Science Activity Form