Science

Introduction and Importance of Science in Early Childhood Education

In early childhood education, science plays a key role because it encourages young children's curiosity, investigation, and critical thinking and also it is a broader concept (Howard & Mayesky, 2022). Children are natural scientists who observe the people, animals, and things around them, carry out experiments, and communicate about what they learn (Howard & Mayesky, 2022). According to Howard and Mayesky (2022) research and knowledge are the two sections of science that are interconnected that also encourage children to come up with creative ideas. Young children can benefit from science in a variety of ways, however, the best way for young children to learn is by doing (Howard & Mayesky, 2022). Hands-on activities are important to follow in early childhood education as mentioned in the Early Years Learning Framework and also outcome four highlight that children are confident and involved learners (Australian Government Department of Education, 2022). Howard and Mayesky (2022) highlight that it has been proven that the procedure for experimenting is even more important when working with young children which promotes their creativity through innovative thinking and flexibility.

Creativity Theories and Perspectives

In early childhood scientific education curriculum requires creativity theories and also it places an important focus on problem-solving, inquiry, and exploration. Piaget’s constructivist theory as stated by Simply Psychology (2024) highlights that children are active learners as they explore and interact with the environment. Examples of the real world practice is children can sensory experiment with water, sand and develop the understanding about them. Vygotsky states how children's cognitive development is improved when they participate in difficult activities under the guidance of knowledgeable adults or teachers (Simply Psychology, 2025). An example of real world practice is teachers or adults helping and guiding children to complete an experiment helps them to complete the task successfully.

(Services For Education, 2023)

Resources

EARLY CHILDHOOD ACTIVITIES: Inspiring ideas for National Science Week (Highfield et al., 2021).

This document shares ideas for promoting science in early childhood education with detailed practical examples.

Promoting children’s science learning one step at a time. NAEYC (Promoting Children’s Science Learning One Step at a Time, n.d.).

This blog offers step by step guidance for promoting science learning in early childhood education.

(Fun Learning, 2024)

Materials

Provide children open ended materials such as stones, sticks, PVC pipes, boxes, ropes and buckets (Lorina, 2015).

Through this they can manipulate, combine, separate and modify (Isbell & Yoshizawa, 2016).

(HaniSuwaryo, n.d.)

Digital Technologies

Youtube Videos or Apps

Age appropriate videos and apps related to Science activities keep children engaged and develop their creativity skills in relation to the Science curriculum.

Learning Experiences by Age Group

(Limited, n.d)

0 -2 years - Sky watching activity (Howard & Mayesky, 2022). On a cloudy day take infants out and let them lie on the ground and look up at the sky (Howard & Mayesky, 2022). They might see separate clouds of various shapes that mix together and also colours of it (Howard & Mayesky, 2022). This activity promotes them to understand the environmental changes, colours of clouds and shape of it in an interesting way.

(StAndrewsBoss, 2022)

2 - 3 years - DIY bubble making with non toxic materials (Crafty Dude, 2019). With the guidance of an adult or a teacher let toddlers make bubbles by using water, sugar and dishwasher. This activity promotes toddlers to experiment with a hands-on task.

(Betty, 2021)

3 - 5 years - Doing the walking water experiment (Ryan’s World, 2019). This activity promotes children to understand different scientific concepts in a creative and interesting way.

(Sara, 2019)

6 - 8 years - Making bird feeders with guidance of teachers and adults (Howard & Mayesky, 2022). Through this activity children can observe where the best place to hang it, what the food birds eat and also to identify different bird breeds. This develops their cognitive development.

Three Original Learning Opportunities

0 - 2 years: Water play such as pouring from a scoop, spoon, and from hand.

Materials needed - bowl full of water, scoops and spoons
Encourage children to understand and explore how it absorbs different materials.

2 - 3 years: Water experimenting on sinking and floating

Material needed - spoons, coins, leaves, stones
This develops to understand the cause and effect and encourages critical thinking.

3 - 5 years: Nature walks

Materials needed - stones, leaves, sticks, flowers
This activity helps to understand the textures of different items in nature such as hard or soft and also develops the environment awareness.

Critical Reflection

My own creative characteristics, such as flexibility, creative thinking, and an interest in hands-on activities as well as experiment learning enhance my ability to promote creativity and critical thinking in early childhood education. In my personal opinion children need to have the facility to explore and learn in their learning environment freely. “Learning is like a tower, you have to build it step by step” (Couñago, 2022). As a future early childhood teacher with the inspiration of this quote I will create a learning environment step by step including digital tools and open ended materials, encouraging children’s creativity to explore and learn. This will also help them to develop their cognitive skills as well as give them the confidence to experiment and explore.

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