TNELDS TIPS
When?
Who?
What?
Activities for the Classroom
Where?
How?
Why?
Science
Thirty to Sixty Months
Who?
All preschoolers will enjoy the opportunity to
experience science activities. Younger preschoolers will
be improving their ability to observe, wonder and
question. Older preschoolers will expand knowledge of
and abilities to observe, describe and discuss the
natural world. Their questioning will lead them to seek
answers through active exploration.
What?
Science is simply allowing children to question and
interact with their environment, based on what is
available to them. They should be learning to
question, devise ways of investigating their questions
and arrive at some simple explanations.
When?
All day long. When getting ready to go outside,
encourage problem solving by allowing the
preschoolers to decide if they need coats. During
morning circle, allow them to share the sequence of
the day to help them understand when things happen
in relation to routines.
Where?
Everywhere; the natural world is all around
preschoolers. Where does the water in the faucet
come from? Why do leaves move in the wind? Why do
earthworms come up out of the ground after rain?
These are questions that will need simple answers for
preschoolers who are trying to make sense of their
world.
How?
By modeling curiosity, interest and inquiry, you will
encourage preschoolers to increase their understanding
and appreciation for science. Provide appropriate
materials, activities and guidance to motivate and
enable preschoolers to satisfy their natural curiosity.
Science affects every area of
preschoolers’ lives, whether they are
aware of it or not. The greater their
understanding of science, the better
they are able to interact with their
environment. A foundation for future
growth in science is being laid in the
preschool years that should facilitate
transition to the requirements of new
kindergarten standards.
TENNESSEE
EARLY LEARNING
DEVELOPMENTAL
STANDARDS
TNELDS
This project is funded through a contract with the Tennessee Department of Human Services and Tennessee State
University, Center of Excellence for Learning Sciences.
TENNESSEE
EARLY LEARNING
DEVELOPMENTAL
STANDARDS
TNELDS
Science
Thirty to Sixty Months
Let’s look at the TN-ELDS.
Here are a few ways to promote developmental benefits
with young children learning about science:
30 - 36 Months
37 - 48 Months
49 - 60 Months
Early Literacy
Words
are
fascinating
to
preschoolers. In the books that
you read, many new terms and
descriptive
words
can
be
introduced that can help them
connect to science experiences.
Explain those words in terms they
will understand.
Speech & Language
When on a nature walk, help
preschoolers
describe
their
observations
accurately
and
specifically by providing the
correct term. “The sweetgum seed
pods are prickly and brown.”
Science
Earth science: Have preschoolers
dig a soil sample, save in a plastic
bag and examine with a hand lens.
Record what they find. Add water
to it in a small jar. As you wait for
soil to settle, discuss what soil is
made of. Compare soil samples
brought from home.
Science
“Who”, “What”, “Where”, and
“Why” questions will be frequent
as preschoolers try to make sense
of their world. Encourage them to
experience trial and error to find
answers for themselves. Develop
questioning techniques to enhance
their thinking skills. Your answers
to their questions should be
simple and based on their level of
understanding. Preschoolers need
not learn science facts; they need
to observe the natural world for
themselves, ask questions and
arrive at simple conclusions.
During sand or water play, have
preschoolers compare container
shapes and sizes.
Science
Give children in this age group
plenty
of
opportunities
to
investigate and explore. Supply
them with items that will
encourage problem solving. Plant
bean seeds in two pots, watering
them the same, but place one in a
sunny window and the other in a
low light area. Measure plant
height each week and discuss why
one grew better than the other.
Encourage them to use a hand lens
to observe different seed types,
and ask what would be produced if
a different seed was planted. Look
at fruits and vegetables to find the
seeds (some are inside, some are
outside, some are in pods).
Life science: Find earthworms,
snails, roly-polies or ants in dirt
and examine with a hand lens.
Discuss body forms, what they eat,
how they eat, move, improve the
soil and why they live in dirt.
Physical science: Compare the
speed of earthworms to each other
or to other creatures in the soil.
Move dirt with dump trucks.
Discuss why dirt falls when the
bed is tilted (gravity). Make items
with clay mud, bake in the sun
What does Tennessee’s Star Quality Program say about environments for children?
Preschoolers are able to grasp more complex science concepts and therefore need a science area devoted to discovery.
Life science concepts are developed by exploring live plants and animals as well as collections of seashells, seedpods
and other natural objects. Earth science is investigated with tools to measure, observe and describe weather, rocks and
other earth materials. Physical science includes concepts of force and motion, light, heat, and sound. Encourage
preschoolers to discover, describe, question, conduct simple experiments and draw conclusions in all three areas of
science. Books and photographs add interest and will enhance the development of science concepts.
This project is funded through a contract with the Tennessee Department of Human Services and Tennessee State
University, Center of Excellence for Learning Sciences.