The Long Island Pre-K Initiative is proud to be part of Long Island's Regional Technical Assistance Center for Pre-K and Early Education. Visit its web page for links to all partner organizations. Many have important COVID-19-related resources to offer: www.nassauboces.org/rtac
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All Children Are Scientists. What if Schools Encouraged a Passion for the Subject? |
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What if all instruction incorporated a “hands-on, minds-on” teaching approach? “All lessons should start with the interests of young children,” says Gary Koppelman, an award-winning science teacher at Michigan’s Blissfield Elementary. Thousands of enthusiastic young students in his lab have proved that science interests them. “At a young age, children are so intrigued by animals and insects,” he says in a recent article in The Atlantic. “I think life sciences is a powerful springboard to get them interested in earth and physical science, and then extend into math, geography, and social studies.”
Koppelman’s discoveries about his own learning, which was challenging due to dyslexia and a hearing disorder, encouraged him to design an alternative method to teach science to all young children. This was especially beneficial for students who struggle with the lectures, textbooks and traditional lab experiments in a classroom setting. He sets up an Environmental Life Lab with a few crates filled with stuffed animals amid cages of live insects, snakes, birds, lizards and hamsters. Children then collect data, walking around the classroom with clipboards asking questions for a “Living or Nonliving?” project.
“Is he breathing?” and “Is there water? Food?” are some of the inquiries floating through the room. Koppelman feels that children are born with the traits of good scientists; they’re curious, eager to investigate their surroundings, and happy to experiment. Unfortunately, according to a 2003 review of childrens’ attitudes toward science, their interest in the subject begins to decline after age 11, demonstrating why early childhood is an imperative time to foster a love for science. Find out more about Koppelman’s lab and his approach to teaching.
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Six Reasons Playing Outside Will Improve a Child’s Future Health |
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This generation of children is markedly prone to spending time indoors, for reasons that range from the availability of electronic devices to concerns about sun exposure. However, according to an article in Harvard Health by Dr. Claire McCarthy, there are six key reasons a child’s future health will improve if she spends more time playing outdoors.
Not only are there important benefits to exposing our bodies to sun, but exercise outdoors increases with active play, which is encouraged with outdoor activities. To learn executive function, which is the skill that helps us prioritize, plan, negotiate and troubleshoot, children need unstructured time. Being alone with other kids allows them the opportunity to figure things out and practice important life skills. When children play outdoors they also take new risks, which helps them develop confidence and bravery. Climbing trees or making friends on the playground can be nerve-wracking for adults and children, but kids need to learn from failure. Sometimes they fail in groups, and this allows for socialization. They need to learn to cooperate and commiserate with their peers, and there is no better way to do this than while walking in the woods or playing in a stream. This fosters an appreciation of nature. If a child never enjoys these activities, they won’t understand what is at stake in taking care of the planet. Read more about Dr. Claire’s six reasons here.
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Great STEM Summer Books to Keep Kids Reading! |
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From Bird Talk: What Birds Are Saying and Why to Frog Song and If You Find a Rock, bookshelves offer a plethora of engaging opportunities for reading and adventures. Maybe kids will want to discover what makes Raindrops Roll or why A Butterfly Is Patient. There’s even choices for present and future poetry lovers, including A Place to Start a Family: Poems About Creatures That Build. Check out Celebrate Science’s list of 40 STEM summer reads for outdoor exploration here.
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Have you ever been a part of a professional learning community? Here is your chance! |
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This year our Summer Institute has scheduled weekly webinars on Wednesdays throughout the summer. Register now to avoid being closed out of sessions designed just for Pre-K & K. There are still seats left in:
Engaging Emergent Multilingual Learners in Literacy and Language Learning
Learn strategies that can be used as part of your daily routine to support language development of Emergent Multilingual Learners (EMLs).
Wednesday, July 21, 2021, 9:00am - 10:00am
Creating a PLC in Your School/Center: Addressing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
What is a professional learning circle and how can educators build one? Learn how to celebrate culture and community with an intentional focus on diversity, equity and inclusion. Many strategies and books for young children will be shared.
Wednesday, July 28, 2021, 9:00am - 10:00am
Let's Share: Getting Ready for a New School Year
Participants will share and learn from one another about what they are doing to prepare their students, their families and themselves for the start of an exciting new school year!
Wednesday, August 4, 2021, 9:00am - 10:00am
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The Long Island Pre-K Initiative is a collaborating partner in the state-funded Long Island Regional Technical Assistance Center for Pre-K and Early Childhood Education. |
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71 Clinton Rd. Garden City, NY 11530-9195
Phone: 516-396-2220
www.nassauboces.org/pre-k
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