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Science and
nature study in the preschool is not so much a subject as an
ongoing and constant activity. Children gain physical knowledge of the
world when working in the practical life areas. For example, pouring
water or wiping up a spill with a sponge teaches children the properties
of liquid. Block play teaches children about gravity,  stability,
balance and weight - as well as offering experiences in trial and error,
inductive thinking and discovery! Both the classroom and the outdoor
environment offer continuing spontaneous opportunities for exploration,
discovery, experimentation and magic! In addition to ongoing science
exploration, a science table is present in the classroom where children
can observe objects such as bones, bird nests, shells, and other items
of interest. The science table may also include exercises exploring
magnets, sink and float, or mirrors. Plants and animals may exemplify
life cycles, metamorphosis, and on occasion a decaying pumpkin might
offer children a chance to observe growth and physical change.
The outside environment offers an excellent opportunity for children to
study nature. Children participate in the planting and care of outside
gardens, as well as in the general care of the yard including sweeping,
raking and cleaning. Children collect spiders, explore under rocks, and
follow butterflies around the yard. Respect for the ecology of the yard
is an integral part of the program. The science curriculum in the
preschool is experiential, hands-on, and may change with the current
discoveries of the children. The science curriculum in particular is
often dictated by the children's emerging interests. What a few
children discover may become the focus of an exploration and study for
the whole class. The value of life is communicated to the children,
and living collections are returned to the yard at the end of the day.
Group time also offers an opportunity to explore in depth a variety of
science-oriented subjects. Discussion may include a closer look at the
five senses, the states of matter, the earth, the solar system, animal
classification, dinosaurs, weather, the seasons or botany.
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