STANDARD COMPETENCIES:

 

 1.   Examine the impact of caregiver attitudes/practices and program goals on math and science learning of young children.

 2.   Develop skills in observing and analyzing children's activities, ideas, and interests as sources for developmentally appropriate science and math planning.

 3.   Deepen understanding of the stages of child development as it relates to the acquisition of scientific and mathematical concepts by young children, through observation, research, and practice.

 4.   Explore the role of the environment in providing developmentally appropriate and integrated math and science curriculum for young children.

 5.   Formulate new roles and behaviors for yourself as a care provider of young children.

 6.   Prepare developmentally appropriate activities for math and science instruction for young children.

 TOPICAL OUTLINE:

 

 I.      Developmentally appropriate science for the young child.

         A.      Definition and content

         B.      Scientific method

         C.      Appropriate methods of presenting scientific content and concepts

 II.     Developmentally appropriate math for the young child.

         A.      Definition and content

         B.      Appropriate methods of presenting mathematical content and concepts

 III.    Theories of cognitive development as they relate to how young children acquire scientific and mathematical concepts.

 IV.     Examine and explore specific general science areas: biology, chemistry, astronomy, geology, physics, botany, or zoology.

 V.      Constructing the science/math component of an early childhood curriculum: an integrated approach.