Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/partnering-with-families-to-support-childrens-early-science-learning/5024255/
As we advance into the 21st century, there is an increasing focus on educating students in science and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), and early childhood teachers are being asked to think more deeply about the quantity and quality of the science experiences they provide for young children. Recent research, including reports such as STEM Starts Early (Joan Ganz Cooney Center, 2017), clearly describes the benefits of high-quality early STEM experiences for later learning and school achievement, and for developing children’s positive attitudes toward doing and learning science (Turner & Patrick, 2008).
As a result, ECE standards across the country are being revised and updated to align with the K-12 Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS Lead States, 2013), and many now incorporate a distinct focus on concepts in life, earth, and physical science (for example: characteristics and needs of living things; properties of earth’s materials; forces, motion, and stability). There is also an emphasis on inquiry and on science and engineering practices.
Science and Engineering Practices
The practices describe eight activities that scientists and engineers use as they engage in the inquiry process. The practices emphasize the close relationship among the STEM disciplines and they include ...