Scientific Knowledge-Mathematics: Ages 3-5

Widely Held Expectations

• Child develops knowledge of the scientific process
• Shows interest in active investigation
• Begins to make comparisons among objects that have been observed
• Describes or represents a series of events in the correct sequence
• Child demonstrates understanding of simple cause and effect relationships
• Child shows interest in measurement of time, length, distance, and weight
• Child develops increased ability to observe and discuss things that are common and things that are different

Learning in Action: Examples

The Child

• Compares the properties of objects that fl oat in water with objects that sink
• Uses an eye dropper to drop color in glasses of water
• Compares handprint to those of classmates
• Joins in discussions about what we do during the day and what we do at night

The Adult

• Encourages children to discuss objects and events that have been observed
• Provides opportunities to observe nature and make predictions about natural events
• Adds living things such as plants and pets to the environment
• Provides opportunities for class observation and comparison

The Environment Includes

• A variety of materials from the natural world (plants, animals, rocks, etc.)
• Scheduled walks in the neighborhood or community to observe
  natural objects and events
• Materials to encourage sand and water play
• Field trips to farm, aquarium, zoo, nursery, etc.

Books for Children

The Carrot Seed--Ruth Krauss
From Seed to Plant--Gail Gibbons
Listen to the desert: Oye al desierto--Pat Mora
The Mitten--Jan Brett
More, Fewer, Less--Tana Hoban
Rocks, Rocks, Big and Small--Joanne Barkan
The Surprise Garden--Zoe Hall
The Very Hungry Caterpillar--Eric Carle
When Autumn Comes--Robert Maass