Name of Module: Young Children and Science

Module Code: YCS 136

Module Objectives:
1. Apply children’s understanding of the environment and to their appreciation of the relationship between people
and the environment.
2. Plan and implement programs for science and the study of the environment.
3. Demonstrate knowledge and application of the integrated curriculum for exploration and problem-solving.
4. Collaborate with young children in the development of their understanding of the scientific method.
Credit Value: 3
Module outcomes:
At the end of the module the students demonstrate an ability to:-
1. Apply children’s understanding of the environment and their appreciation of the relationship between people and
the environment.
2. Plan and implement programs for science and the study of the environment.
3. Apply knowledge of the integrated curriculum for exploration and problem solving.
4. Collaborate with young children in the development of their understanding of scientific method
5. Acquire skills to work with children with special needs with reference to the teaching and learning of science.
6. Communicate with young children by inspiring them to learn through curiosity and exploration.
Synopsis:
In the module, students are introduce to the basic science concept and the relationship between people, science and
environment. Students will be required to develop integrated proms which incorporate a number of strategies for
involving and engaging young children in problem-solving activities.
Assessment Methods and Types
Project 50%
Assignment 50%
Total
No Topic Lecture Tutorial Independent
(Hours)
Science, People, and the Environment
 The nature of science and the environment
1  Science education for the preschool children
 The role of children, school, home, and
community with the environment
Monitoring Children’s Development of their
Conceptual Understanding of Scientific and
Environmental Notions and Issues
 Children’s development and their
understanding of science and the
environment.
2  Developing objectives and assessment
procedures
 Collaborative observation and data
collections between school, home, and the
community
 Monitoring the application and integration of
science and environment with other subjects
 Resources and Materials for Teaching Science
Environmental Studies
 Sources of learning material for teaching
science
 Criteria for selections of science and
3 environment
 Developing science learning resources for
preschool children
 Safety use of the science equipments
during experimentations and outdoor
activities
Integrated Approach to Science Learning
 The ingredients of learning: Curiosity,
emotions, feelings, learning
 Multiple learning pathways: Two way thinking
4 and multiple intelligence
 Integrated learning framework
 Promoting concept connections
 Families and communities’ involvement
 Activities for integrated science learning
Guiding Science Learning in the Early Years
 Guided science: Reason for guided science
discovery
 Guiding learners: Teaching styles, organizing
5 approaches, direct and indirect, questions
and discussion, exploration.
 Learning the context of cooperation
 Preparation for teaching science to young
children
Teaching Children, Space Concept
 Determine the positions of objects in space
 Create relationship
6
 Means to confine a space/area
 The methods for developing and separating
polar
Teaching Children Appropriate Approaches to
Thinking, and Creative problem solving
 Young children as thinkers: Cognitive
theories
7  Young children as persons: Sense of
initiative and industry
 Problem solving techniques
 Thinking skills for solving problems
 Planning and implementing children’s needs
 Teaching Children, Observation, Comparison,
and discrimination
 Observation and data recording
8
 Compare and differentiate observation
results
 Clarify observation procedure and results
Computer Based Instruction in the Teaching of
Science to Preschool Children
 Understanding Science courseware:
components, interface, and navigation
 Pedagogy for preschool Science : Content,
9 activity evaluation, enrichment, remedial, and
extension
 Teaching preschool children using Science
courseware: Location, lessons, activity
sheets, and recording young children’s
progress

Reaching Students with Special Needs

 Special needs students in the science
classes
 Individualized science teaching
10
 Science for children with physical differences
 Science for intellectually different students
 Science for students with culturally diverse
backgrounds

11 Presentation

Total

Harlan, J. D. & Rivkin, M. S. (2011). Science Experiences

for the Early Childhood Years: An integrated affective
th
approach (10 edition). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey:
Pearson Education.
Main References

Lind, K.K. (2004). Exploring Science in Early Childhood

th
Education (4 edition). New York: Thomson Delmar
Learning.
Chalesworth, R. & Lind, K. K. (2012). Mathematics and
th
Additional references Science for Young Children (7 edition). Belmont, USA:
Wadsworth Publishing.
Other additional information: NIL