Teaching Science and Technology in the Early Years (3-7) celebrates young children's amazing capabilities as scientists, designers and technologists. Research-based yet practical and accessible, it demonstrates how scientific designing and making activities are natural to young children, and have the potential for contributing to all aspects of their learning.
By identifying the scientific and technological concepts, skills and activities being developed, the book enables the reader to make more focused diagnostic observations of young children and plan for how they can help move them forward in their learning. This third edition has been thoroughly updated and features:
fresh insights into young children's learning from neuroscience and 'new-materialist' perspectives;
a UK-wide perspective on Early Years curricula and how they support the inclusion of science and technology as an entitlement for young children;
new case studies of successful, evidence-based Early Years practice, alongside new examples of practical planning for learning, and advice on documenting children's learning stories;
an updated chapter on assessing and documenting children's learning, drawing upon findings from the Teacher Assessment in Primary Science (TAPS) project at Bath Spa University.
Based on the latest research and first-hand experience, this practical and accessible book is essential reading for Early Years and Primary students on undergraduate, PGCE and Masters-level courses.
List of figures, tables and learning stories List of contributors Acknowledgements Part One: The principles of teaching science and technology in Early Years settings 1.Introduction 2.Young children as scientists, designers and technologists - theories of learning 3.Talk, narrative and sustained shared thinking 4.Outdoor learning in science and technology 5.Assessing and documenting children's learning 6.Planning for science and technology in the Early Years setting Part Two: Guidance on teaching thematic science and technology topics 7.Sowing the seeds - a thematic approach to plant life in Early Years education 8.A thematic approach to humans and animals in Early Years education 9.A thematic approach to everyday materials in Early Years practice 10.A thematic approach to changing materials in Early Years settings 11.A thematic approach to forces, magnets and electricity in Early Years settings 12.A thematic approach to sound, light and space in Early Years settings 13.Moving on - transitions in Early Years science and technology References Index
