Where learning happens

If a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder, he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement, and mystery of the world we live in."
~Rachel Carson, scientist, environmentalist, writer

One way we see teachers joining children on this journey of wonder is when they include science activities in the preschool day.  What could be better for children who love to ask "Why?"  That one word tells us that a child is curious, interested, and ready to learn, ready to wonder.  Scientific method and discovery science are simply the art of inquiry.  As children explore water, ice, owl pellets, seeds, and plants, they are learning the steps of Scientific Method and Inquiry:

• Ask questions

• Make predictions

• Experiment

• Explore

• Observe

• Classify

• Collect data

• Communicate findings

Imagine a scientist who simply does experiments but never records the findings.  Any discoveries the scientist might make would be lost.  In our classrooms, children are asked what they already know or want to know about such things as colors, shadow, penguins, reptiles, insects, or plants.  As they explore, observe, and learn, they are asked to talk, draw, and write about their work.  In one classroom, children are given a sheet of paper with pictures of objects and asked to predict which objects would sink and which would float. As they began to experiment, dropping the items, one by one, into a small tub of water, they recored their findings.  Later, they share their findins with the class.  Another group of children are experimenting with ice, tying to figure out how to make it melt.  As they try different tools to chip the ice or pour salt and water over the ice, their teacher recors their work with words and pictures.  Later, the children talk about what they thought would happen and what really did happen. 

This work of wondering and exploring through science is one way we are nurturing your child's curiosity.