
Nature and Science in Preschool: Exploring the Environment through the Discovery Curriculum
Children begin to understand the world around them by observing and interacting with nature. In this process, science education nurtures curiosity, encourages exploration, and develops analytical thinking. The Discovery Curriculum offers an active, experience-based learning environment that helps children gain early scientific awareness through direct interaction with the natural world.
Why Is It Important to Spark an Interest in Science at an Early Age?
✔ Strengthens curiosity and the desire to explore.
✔ Develops problem-solving and logical thinking skills.
✔ Encourages scientific thinking through observation.
✔ Fosters a sense of connection with the environment and ecological awareness.
✔ Builds a solid foundation for future academic success.
Nature and Science-Based Learning Models in the Discovery Curriculum
✔ Observation and Inquiry-Based Education: Children ask questions and investigate based on their own observations.
✔ Experiential Learning: Encourages learning through trial and error rather than direct instruction.
✔ Hands-On Nature Activities: Provides real-life experiences like digging soil, examining leaves, or observing insects.
✔ Tracking Seasonal Changes: Helps internalize scientific concepts through weather, plant life cycles, and animal behavior.
✔ Open-Ended Questions: Promotes deeper thinking with prompts like, “Why do you think this happened?”
Experiments and Observations to Explore Scientific Concepts
✔ Plant growth and observation: Understanding how living things grow and change.
✔ Weather observations: Exploring rain, wind, and sunshine through daily changes.
✔ Water cycle experiments: Observing evaporation, condensation, and rainfall.
✔ Insect life cycles: Learning how living creatures interact with their environment.
✔ Experiments with sound, light, and motion: Introducing basic physics in fun ways.
Activities That Promote Ecological Awareness and Nature Connection
✔ Recycling and waste sorting: Teaching environmental responsibility.
✔ Wildlife identification games: Learning about animals, plants, and their habitats.
✔ Composting: Experiencing how organic waste returns to nature.
✔ Nature walks and observation journals: Recording and reflecting on what they see outdoors.
✔ Clean-up projects: Engaging in simple local environmental clean-ups.
Science and Nature Activities for Parents at Home
✔ Include your child in planting and growing projects.
✔ Collect leaves, stones, or cones during walks and sort them by type.
✔ Track daily weather changes and discuss observations together.
✔ Try simple experiments (e.g., ice melting, sound-making materials) to spark scientific interest.
✔ Watch nature documentaries and have conversations about what you learned.