Teaching Science and Technology in the Early Years (3-7) celebrates young children’s amazing capabilities as scientists, designers and technologists. Research-based yet practical and accessible, it demonstrates how scientific, designing and making activities are natural to young children, and have the potential for contributing to all aspects of their learning. By identifying the scientific and design-related concepts, skills and activities being developed, the book enables the reader to make more focused diagnostic observations of young children and plan for how they can help move them forward in their learning. This second edition has been thoroughly updated and features: Six new chapters providing practical advice and examples for enhancing scientific and technological learning through thematic approaches a new chapter focusing on the outdoor learning environment and how this can support science and technology new case studies of successful early years practice, alongside examples of practical planning for learning, and advice on documenting children’s learning stories, guidance on the role of talk, narrative, documentation and planning in relation to early years science and technology Based on the latest research and the first hand experience, this practical and accessible book is essential reading for early years and primary students on undergraduate and Masters level courses.

Teaching Science and Technology in the Early Years (3–7) celebrates young children’s amazing capabilities as scientists, designers and technologists. Research-based yet practical and accessible, it demonstrates how scientific designing and making activities are natural to young children, and have the potential for contributing to all aspects of their learning. By identifying the scientific and technological concepts, skills and activities being developed, the book enables the reader to make more focused diagnostic observations of young children and plan for how they can help move them forward in their learning. This third edition has been thoroughly updated and features: fresh insights into young children’s learning from neuroscience and ‘new-materialist’ perspectives; a UK-wide perspective on Early Years curricula and how they support the inclusion of science and technology as an entitlement for young children; new case studies of successful, evidence-based Early Years practice, alongside new examples of practical planning for learning, and advice on documenting children’s learning stories; an updated chapter on assessing and documenting children’s learning, drawing upon findings from the Teacher Assessment in Primary Science (TAPS) project at Bath Spa University. Based on the latest research and first-hand experience, this practical and accessible book is essential reading for Early Years and Primary students on undergraduate, PGCE and Masters-level courses.

Teaching Science and Technology in the Early Years (3–7) celebrates young children’s amazing capabilities as scientists, designers and technologists. Research-based yet practical and accessible, it demonstrates how scientific designing and making activities are natural to young children, and have the potential for contributing to all aspects of their learning. By identifying the scientific and technological concepts, skills and activities being developed, the book enables the reader to make more focused diagnostic observations of young children and plan for how they can help move them forward in their learning. This third edition has been thoroughly updated and features: fresh insights into young children’s learning from neuroscience and ‘new-materialist’ perspectives; a UK-wide perspective on Early Years curricula and how they support the inclusion of science and technology as an entitlement for young children; new case studies of successful, evidence-based Early Years practice, alongside new examples of practical planning for learning, and advice on documenting children’s learning stories; an updated chapter on assessing and documenting children’s learning, drawing upon findings from the Teacher Assessment in Primary Science (TAPS) project at Bath Spa University. Based on the latest research and first-hand experience, this practical and accessible book is essential reading for Early Years and Primary students on undergraduate, PGCE and Masters-level courses.

This book explores ways of developing continuity in children's learning from 3-7. It describes three case studies in which tutors on ITT courses work with early years practitioners in a variety of schools, each linked to a pre-school setting.

The educational provision for early years is growing and changing across many parts of the world, not least in the UK. While this book leans heavily on the mounting literature on early child development in its broadest sense – physically, emotionally, linguistically – its central focus lies squarely on the growth of children’s scientific thinking and activities. Written by educators, this book is based both on formal educational research and professional practice-in-action. The authors describe children’s science concept development; their curiosity-driven exploration; emergent ecological literacy; their learning through science play; the assessment of early learning; the role of parents and practitioners within early education contexts; and some question the very basis of the science being taught. Illustrations and examples of practice are not confined to the UK, though the messages to be derived from each chapter have application way beyond the immediate context. This book was originally published as a special issue of Early Child Development and Care.

How can you unlock your own creativity to help children learn science creatively? How do you bring the world of ‘real science’ into the classroom? Where does science fit in a creative curriculum? This second edition of Teaching Science Creatively has been fully updated to reflect new research, initiatives and developments in the field. It offers innovative starting points to enhance your teaching and highlights curiosity, observation, exploration and enquiry as central components of children’s creative learning in science. Illustrated throughout with examples from the classroom and beyond, the book explores how creative teaching can harness children’s sense of wonder about the world around them. With easily accessible chapters, it offers a comprehensive introduction to the core elements of creative science learning, supporting both teacher and child in developing scientific concepts and skills. The book explores key issues such as: • the links between scientific and creative processes • how to teach creatively, and for creativity • the role of play in early scientific learning • developing scientific understanding through drama (new) • using the outdoors in science • how theories of learning relate to children’s creative development • teaching science topics in innovative and creative ways – games, drama, role play, puppets, mini-safaris and welly walks! Stimulating and accessible, with contemporary and cutting-edge practice at the forefront, Teaching Science Creatively introduces fresh ideas to support and motivate both new and experienced primary teachers. It is an essential purchase for any professional who wishes to incorporate creative approaches to teaching science in their classroom.

This edited book provides an overview of unstructured and structured play scenarios crucial to developing young children’s awareness, interest, and ability to learn Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in informal and formal education environments. The key elements for developing future STEM capital, enabling children to use their intuitive critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, and promoting active citizenship and a scientifically literate workforce, begins in the early years as children learn through play, employing trial and error, and often investigating on their own. Forty-seven STEM experts come together from 16 countries (Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Canada, England, Finland, Germany, Israel, Jamaica, Japan, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Russia, Sweden, and the USA) and describe educational policies and experiences related to young learners 3–4 years of age, as well as students attending formal-nursery school, early primary school, and the early years classes post 5 years of age. The book is intended for parents seeking to provide STEM activities for their children at home and in playgroups, citizen scientists seeking guidance to provide children with quality educational activities, daycare practitioners providing educational structures for young children from birth to formal education, primary school teachers and preservice teachers seeking to teach preschool, kindergarten or children typically aged 5–8 years old in grades 1–3, as well as researchers and policy makers working in science didactics with small children.

This truly innovative, practical book supports primary schools in rethinking where teaching and learning in primary science and technology should take place, and in promoting the nature of pupil independence in choosing when and why to take their learning outside the classroom boundaries. This approach builds on the good practice begun in Foundation Stage and ensures that children's personal capabilities are further developed in relation their understanding and skills in science by working in the school environment.

How do people become effective teachers? This is the textbook students need to support them on this journey, no matter their training route or whether primary or early years in focus. Through a unique pairing of academic research and teaching expertise, each chapter is collaboratively authored by an academic specialist and an experienced practitioner to provide a realistic and practical view of teaching children from years 3 - 11. The book combines all the major topics, theories and research students need to know, along with up-to-date policy and legislation. Inventive and practical learning aids and carefully crafted online resources will help readers to: Understand: helpful learning aims at the beginning and summaries at the end of every chapter guide students through each topic Apply: Spotlight on Practice features highlight real teaching examples, Putting it into Practice features provide advice on how key concepts can be employed in real life whilst classroom activities on the website provide further ideas for teaching Reflect on key concepts, as well as your own practice and values, through the refection points and author podcasts on the website outlining key issues to stimulate critical thinking Go further with informative annotated further reading at the end of every chapter, links to relevant websites integrated throughout, and carefully selected SAGE journal articles freely available on the website This is an essential textbook for use across all your primary and early years teaching courses - whether students are training to be lower/upper primary school teachers or early years practitioners, including those on undergraduate or postgraduate teacher training courses and employment-based routes.