Teaching science in the Early Years | NWU Research скачать в хорошем качестве

Teaching science in the Early Years | NWU Research

The teaching of science(s) content during the Early Years (0-8) is traditionally, in most countries, presented as part of an integrated daily programme where the main focus of the activities remains the development of language and mathematics skills. Substantial global efforts have been made in recent years in pointing to the importance of developing specific scientific habits of mind, alongside the development of language and mathematics skills, during these Early Years Although a substantial amount of groundwork has been done in this regard, what is absent from this picture is a uniquely focused African contribution to this knowledge pool. It has become clear from many studies concerning teaching and learning, that the significance of the collaboration of different role players (textbook designers, curriculum designers, scientists, policy makers, lecturers and teachers), from different science domains, as well as different geographical locations, is imperative to enhancing our understanding of the complexity of such an endeavour. Together with an improved understanding of how young children learn the sciences, comes the realisation of the importance of re-evaluating current theories impacting teaching and learning in the 21st century. The approach to defining and selecting theories that impact teaching and learning, seems to be calling for a hybrid approach, which should incorporate, not only education theories, but also media theories, as well as neuro-scientific theories, in order to ground research in the Early Years for the 21st century. This video reports on a first initiative that was enacted through an International conference that was hosted by North-West University in Potchefstroom (10-12 October 2016) that had as its overall objective to contribute to a better understanding of the capacity of young learners to develop their overall cognitive abilities, utilising a trans-disciplinary approach to teaching and learning of the sciences in the Early Years. This conference culminated in the establishment of a forum called Little African Scientists Association (LIAFSCA), which aims to take the initiatives discussed during this conference forward into a global domain.