ERIC Number: EJ931341
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2004
Pages: 4
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0269-2465
EISSN: N/A
Creativity and Science in the Nursery
McFall, Dawn; Macro, Chris
Primary Science Review, n81 p7-10 Jan-Feb 2004
Sefton School Advisory Service has been working with Crossens Nursery School in Southport on a project to develop science and technology. The overall project was inspired by the visit of the headteacher to the Reggio Emilia school in Italy. Central to the Reggio approach is a philosophy which values the children as researchers and as partners with adults. Children are encouraged to handle natural materials and to explore light, reflection and shadows. The work they do is documented by the adults and the children's ideas are used as starting points for planning exploration and play. The environment in which they work is aesthetically pleasing and stimulating. It was these aspects of the approach which the head teacher of Crossens wanted to develop in the school. Within the project the adults had the opportunity to develop their own observational skills and to take part in action research. The main focus of the research was the way in which they learned to collate and evaluate children's talk, work and play and to use this to inform the planning of the next stage of learning. Children developed scientific skills and knowledge as they engaged in a creative activity. (Contains 5 figures.)
Descriptors: Nursery Schools, Play, Action Research, Creative Activities, Foreign Countries, Reggio Emilia Approach, Creativity, Preschool Children, Observation, Classroom Communication, Planning, Elementary School Science, Student Participation, Inquiry, Science Process Skills, Light, Puppetry
Association for Science Education. College Lane Hatfield, Herts, AL10 9AA, UK. Tel: +44-1-707-283000; Fax: +44-1-707-266532; e-mail: info@ase.org.uk; Web site: http://www.ase.org.uk
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Preschool Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A