ERIC Number: EJ1102157
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2016
Pages: 18
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0966-9760
EISSN: N/A
Enquiry-Based Science in the Infant Classroom: "Letting Go"
Byrne, Jenny; Rietdijk, Willeke; Cheek, Sue
International Journal of Early Years Education, v24 n2 p206-223 2016
Enquiry-based science in primary classrooms is key to encouraging children's interest and curiosity about the world around them and as a result helps to stimulate their understanding and enjoyment of science. Yet many primary teachers lack the confidence to implement enquiry-based approaches effectively. The reasons are myriad and often result in the teacher controlling and orchestrating the lesson leaving little room for children's exploration and autonomy. This paper explores how one infant school teacher was willing to relinquish control and "let go" and expand her pedagogical repertoire to manage the many obstacles to including enquiry-based science in her classroom. The autonomy the children were given resulted in genuine enquiry-based science with the consequential benefit to their learning. Furthermore the teacher's confidence and self-efficacy seem to have been raised ensuring that that she would continue to include enquiry-based science as part of her practice in the future. As a model for other primary teachers this approach could help them overcome their reticence to engage with enquiry-based science.
Descriptors: Science Education, Science Instruction, Elementary School Science, Elementary School Students, Elementary School Teachers, Learner Engagement, Self Efficacy, Self Esteem, Teacher Competencies, Young Children, Scientific Literacy, Science Teachers, Science Activities, Science Achievement, Mixed Methods Research, Interviews, Focus Groups, Observation, Active Learning, Inquiry, Personal Autonomy, Foreign Countries
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 325 Chestnut Street Suite 800, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Fax: 215-625-2940; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research; Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: Elementary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: United Kingdom (Southampton)
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A