Gerde, H. K., Schachter, R. E., & Wasik, B. A. (2013). Using the Scientific Method to Guide Learning: An Integrated Approach to Early Childhood Curriculum. Early Childhood Education Journal, 41, 315–323. DOI 10.1007/s10643-013-0579-4
The article “Using the Scientific Method to Guide Learning: An Integrated Approach to Early Childhood Curriculum” was written by Hope K. Gerde, Rachel E. Schachter, and Barbara A. Wasik, who all belong to the University of Michigan, in the United States of America. The main focus of the article was the early childhood curriculum. Early childhood programs are important for children and enable them to compete well in their later grades. In this article, the writers emphasized the early childhood programs specifically designed to prepare children for scientific studies. Many studies and researchers have shown that early childhood programs organize children for science subjects in a brilliant, efficient, and effective manner.
Young children need these programs to build their interest in science. However, many factors hinder that, including the lack of resources in schools at the childhood level. The low self-efficiency of teachers and fewer education resources impact children’s education, and it does not allow high-quality classrooms and resources for young children to gain expertise in science subjects. Every child deserves a quality education, but numerous schools cannot provide them with high-quality science education. High-quality science education can improve and develop students’ interests in science subjects. It adds great value to students’ knowledge and allows them to learn about critical analysis, critical thinking skills, and several other necessary skills. The article assessed all available research and studies on the science studies available and present in preschool classrooms. The writers recommended many suggestions for adding science to the classrooms and teaching it to young students. These recommendations could help the schools make their children able to take an interest and develop their science skills.
The study results showed that scientific methods could train young children in the methods and techniques of science subjects. The scientific techniques allow the children to learn about the science topics and tools to explore these issues. The questioning and observation methods provide a way to explore the other subjects using these methods. The scientific techniques enhance and increase young children’s abilities to use language and literacy skills appropriately and efficiently. The article provides in-depth details about these techniques and how teachers can use them for children in the classrooms. The study results showed that the scientific method gives a unique way for teachers to explore and assess the science subjects for their students. The main seven steps of the scientific method enable children to enhance and increase their abilities and skills to learn and explore their educational world. It includes observation, questions, hypotheses, experiments, analyses, discoveries, and new questions. The classroom’s scientific study and activities allow the children to explore their surroundings and areas. It includes science education and several other abilities like problem-solving, observation, and critical thinking skills, which are effective throughout their academic career. This article provides excellent detail about the scientific methods and their usage in early childhood education. I can use this significant information efficiently in my future academic career and my teaching career. Science subjects are no doubt important, especially in high school studies, and impact significantly on students’ learning abilities, so scientific methods are valuable to implement in the classrooms. In the future, I will use these methods in the classroom to enhance and improve the student’s learning interest in science subjects. I will make specific plans and activities during the scientific periods, which will include the patterns of scientific methods, including hypothesis, observation, questions, and analysis factors. It will develop the critical thinking skills and abilities of the young children.
References
Gerde, H. K., Schachter, R. E., & Wasik, B. A. (2013). Using the Scientific Method to Guide Learning: An Integrated Approach to Early Childhood Curriculum. Early Childhood Education Journal, 41, 315–323. DOI 10.1007/s10643-013-0579-4
