A Sense of Wonder

Name: A Sense of Wonder
Brand: Essential Resources
SKU: TS0103
Price: 49.95 AUD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781921613579

Science in early childhood education

A Sense of Wonder explores the possibilities for experiencing science in early childhood settings, together with practical science ideas to inspire educators. This book helps to link the EYLF principles, practice and learning outcomes to science learning. It outlines an early childhood science framework divided into four learning areas: biological science, physical science, earth science and environmental science.

During early science learning, children are seen as confident, capable, involved learners, eager to observe and explore the world around them. This can be supported by creating an inquiry approach within a play-based program that promotes positive learning.

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Ages: 1-5 | Pages: 96 | Code: TS0103 | ISBN: 9781921613579

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Jenny Aitken

Jenny Aitken is a highly experienced early years educator. She also co- authored A Sense of Wonder: Science in Early Childhood Education.

Jan Hunt

Jan Hunt is a highly experienced early years educator. She also co- authored A Sense of Wonder: Science in Early Childhood Education.

Elizabeth Roy

Elizabeth Roy is an Early Childhood TAFE teacher at Victoria University with extensive experience in the early childhood field. Her areas of expertise include early childhood development, science, nutrition, safe food handling and play-based curriculum theory and design. She also enjoys facilitating professional development for TAFE teachers and early childhood educators. Elizabeth is an experienced author who first published in 1986 and has co-authored thirteen health & human development and early childhood text books. Elizabeth and her co-authors Bess Sajfar, Jan Hunt and Jenny Aitken were thrilled to receive a Highly Commended citation in the Australian Awards for Excellence in Education – 2013 for A Sense of Wonder: Science in Early Childhood Education. Elizabeth has a passion for inspiring early childhood educators to make a difference and support young children to actively explore and wonder at the world around them.

Bess Sajfar

Bess Sajfar is a sessional lecturer in Early Childhood/ Primary education. Her areas of expertise include early childhood mathematics, science, sustainability, nature pedagogy, the arts and play based curriculum theory and design. Bess started her career in the corporate world, but realised that her passion was teaching. Bess has worked in various educational settings from kindergarten, primary, vocational & tertiary education. She has a Master’s degree in education and is currently undertaking her PhD – Titled: A little green is good for the soul: edible gardens enhancing environmental thinking and awareness in early childhood curriculum and pedagogy.

In 2015 Bess was awarded an Australian Government Office for Learning and Teaching ‘Citation for Outstanding Contributions to inspiring early childhood students in science with the wonder of nature, through integrated and engaging curriculum teaching’. In 2010, she received special mention in the World Environment Day Competition for designing curriculum based learning to support sustainable practice. Also in 2009, Bess was part of a team that received a Vice-Chancellor’s Citation for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (TAFE).

Bess has co-authored a science teaching resource book, which subsequently was shortlisted and won highly commended primary teaching resource for the Australian Educational Publishing Awards in 2013.

Bess is passionate about supporting early childhood educators, who will in turn inspire young children to explore, wonder and learn

Contents
Preface v
Acknowledgements vi
1.\tWhat is science?	1
What is the place of science in early childhood?	2
What is science?	2
Scientists at work	3
Early childhood science learning framework	4
Science learning areas	4
Process skills used in science	8
References and further reading	10
2.\tConnecting the Early Years Learning Framework to science	11
The Early Years Learning Framework	12
EYLF learning outcomes	13
References and further reading	16
3.\tHow to honour a child’s sense of wonder	17
Intentional teaching	18
Developing dispositions for learning	20
Inquiry-based learning	22
Planning for science inquiry	24
Approaches to learning	26
Documenting children’s learning	28
References and further reading	30
4.\tCreating inspiring spaces for science	31
Our changing world	32
Science connects to all areas of the curriculum	33
Resources to support science inquiry	33
Creating aesthetically pleasing environments	36
Using real resources	37
Science learning safety considerations	38
References and further reading	38
5.\tBiological science	39
Biological science in early childhood education	40
Plants	40
The importance of gardening	43
Animals	47
The human body	51
References, further reading and resources	54
6.\tPhysical science	55
Physical science in early childhood education	56
The nature of materials	57
Physical and chemical changes	60
Forces and movement of objects	64
Energy	68
References, further reading and resources	70
7.\tEarth science	71
Earth science in early childhood education	72
Water	73
Rocks	74
Soils	76
Mud	77
Sand	77
Day and night	78
Weather and seasons	79
References, further reading and resources	82
8.\tEnvironmental science	83
Environmental science in early childhood education	84
Experiences for children – birth to 3 years	86
Experiences for 4- to 5-year-olds	88
Composting	91
Worm farming	92
References, further reading and resources	94
Some useful websites and organisations	95