Although I look forward
each month to Young Children and SECA’s tri-annual Dimensions of Early Childhood, sometimes
I like to get my science in one big serving. Several members of the NAEYC Early Childhood Science
Interest Forum (ECSIF) contributed to the new Spotlight on Young Children: Exploring Science published by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. (Full disclosure, some of my photos are
included and I helped a bit with the introduction.) Many of my favorite articles from recent issues of Young Children are included as an
expanded version.
This volume, along with Worms, Shadows and Whirlpools by Karen Worth and Sharon
Grollman, can be the foundation for deepening or expanding your science
program. The views into classroom practices offer guidance in developing
science inquiry in preK to grade 2 programs, with recommended resources for further learning.
Read the piece on science
standards by Linda Froschauer, ECSIF member, author and longtime science
educator who is the editor of the National Science Teachers Association
journal, Science and Children, to
find out how national science standards are based on research into how children
learn. Individuals, program administrators or
science team leaders can use the questions and follow-up activities to lead
groups in exploring, discussing and reflecting on, the articles on teaching science
inquiry. Whether you are
comfortable teaching science or wish someone else would do it, whether you like
life science or physics best, and even if you are not yet a teacher, Spotlight on Young Children: ExploringScience will be enjoyable, enlightening reading.
Peggy Ashbrook
