"Capture your inner child" and "Child-like curiosity" are phrases used to encourage adults to think out of the box. Nobody needs to tell young children that, they get it. Little kids are the ultimate explorers and scientists. I need materials to inspire their quests.
Those young scientists are my students!
Aloha from na keiki o Hawai'i. My preschool special education class provides early intervention services to qualifying special needs children. My class size ranges between 6-8 students, ages 3-4 years. My school is located in a predominantly rural, low-income neighborhood with a considerable portion of the children of Hawaiian and/or Pacific Island ancestry.
My Project
With all due apologies to both my college and high school science teachers, I can honestly say that I've learned more about the science of weather, plants, human biology, animals and so much more while teaching and exploring scientific concepts with my preschoolers. They are indeed a curious bunch, eager to learn at every opportunity, and what draws them in are hands-on learning experiences. I would love to have a "little kids" microscope and slides for them to look at, marvel and wonder about. In addition, after years of use, we stomped our previous rocket launcher into the dumpster. I am thrilled to finally find replacements--in two different styles!-- to help teach simple physics lessons. I would like to add the boats and crystal growing discoveries too. And bubbles, what's not to love about bubbles? Yet for some children blowing bubbles is a challenge. I go through jugs of "bubble juice" as I teach children to blow, "use your lungs", and need to get a refill for the year
My students are young and easily engaged with hands-on learning opportunities.
The world is new, and concepts are vague and in the process of being formed. What better time to inspire, excite and encourage active learning than in their early years. These various scientific tools will help fuel their futures.
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