Science and Math Explorations for Young
Children
A GEMS/PEACHES Handbook for Early Childhood
Educators, Childcare Providers, and Parents
Written by Katharine Barrett, Ellen
Blinderman, Beatrice Boffen, Jean C. Echols, Patricia A. House,
Kimi Hosoume, and Jaine Kopp
NOTE: This book is now out of print but is available as a free download from the link below the picture to the right. The file is an 8.7 MB Adobe PDF file, and requires Adobe Reader to access.
The past 15 years have seen a dramatic increase in the need for
high-quality early childhood education. Research shows that early
experiences are critical to future success in school and throughout
life. This new handbook is a practical resource for early childhood
educators, childcare providers, and parents in the crucial task
of providing excellent math and science education for young children.
Drawing on activities developed by the GEMS
and PEACHES programs at the Lawrence
Hall of Science, Science and Math Explorations for Young Children
synthesizes current ideas in early childhood education that
will help spark ideas about new directions in science and math
learning.
Accessible and informative, the handbook addresses a wide range
of subjects in clearly organized chapters. Using GEMS and PEACHES
activities as examples, the guide outlines successful techniques
and strategies for incorporating developmentally appropriate practice,
using questions effectively, constructing curriculum, and reaching
all students. Chapters include, "The Role of Teachers and
Parents," "Children's Play and Creativity," "Language
Development," "Mathematics in Early Childhood,"
and "Active Assessment."
Science and Math Explorations for Young Children includes
a flexible, step-by-step outline for a presentation called "To
Build a Bridge: Creating Early Childhood Math & Science Programs."
Intended for use at parent nights, teacher inservices, or administration
meetings, this presentation uses the metaphor of building a bridge
to encourage science literacy at all stages of change in young
children's lives—school to school, grade to grade, and class
to class.
The handbook also describes age-appropriate National Science
Education Standards and National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
(NCTM) Principles and Standards for School Mathematics,
and the alignment of GEMS and GEMS/PEACHES early childhood guides
with those standards. A chart correlating the science and math
standards with the GEMS/PEACHES and GEMS guides is included for
easy reference. The handbook closes with a look to the new millennium,
based on a speech by PEACHES Director Kimi Hosoume to an early
childhood symposium sponsored by the American Association for
the Advancement of Science (AAAS.)
This handbook offers valuable support to the early childhood educator
and new perspectives on the importance of math and science education
for young children.
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