Worms, Shadows, and Whirlpools: Science in the Early Childhood Classroom

This book represents a new way to think about science education for young children. Based on the growing understanding that even the littlest learners are powerful thinkers and theory makers, it identifies important science inquiry skills and concepts appropriate for the very young. What's more, it makes a strong case for integrating science into the curriculum right from the start - creating a context for the development of language, mathematical thinking, and social skills.

Authors Karen Worth and Sharon Grollman define and illustrate what science education can and should be. They draw upon what is known about the learning, effective teaching, and science education of young children by using the daily work of teachers and children in Head Start, kindergarten, day care, and preschool programs. They fill their book with teacher stories, photographs, and examples of children's work, plus commentary highlighting particular teaching strategies and child learning.

Read this book and understand what a quality science program encompasses. Then see what the youngest students can do given the opportunity to explore phenomena and materials that draw upon their natural curiosity, captivate, motivate, and prepare them for ideas important to later learning.