We Don’t Need a “Science Center!”

I was startled the other day as I read an article saying that many Early Childhood educators are intimidated by “doing science.”  LIFE is science!  Science is everywhere. Preschoolers naturally question, explore, investigate and examine. Sometimes they  just need exposure to more scientific vocabulary.   They can easily go from “a caterpillar changes,” to “metamorphosis,” or “metamorphose.” Even if they don’t use the word, it can become a part of their receptive vocabulary.

Lessons on absorption happen nearly everyday when drinks are spilled at snack time. I often respond with, “Your napkin is doing its job!  Look at how it’s absorbing the water!”   Later:  “Hey! My napkin is ‘zorbing!”  “Mine is ‘zorbing too!”

All we need to do as teachers is guide the children’s natural instincts. Use vocabulary in natural conversations. Provide opportunities to discover something new. (Yes, sometimes I put materials out and let them explore, other times a topic spontaneously comes up!) Ask questions.  Encourage them to ask even MORE questions.  Sometimes I find the the children have discovered something that I hadn’t even thought of! 

Children are natural scientists.  It’s our job to nurture their curiosity and encourage them to observe, question, hypothesize, and model researching for more information. Science can’t be limited to one small space in the classroom.  Not in MY room, anyway! 🙂