Ask Dr. BKW - Ideas for Pre-K Science Center

School has started and the pre-k looks at the science center and began wondering why during center time the children were not selected the center and even when encouraged to come into the center reply was “no”.  Therefore, the teacher has sent the question to Ask Dr. BKW “what are some ideas to engage children into the science center?”   

As you review the room arrangement try to place the science center next to a window for natural light to expand activities exploration for teacher initiated and/or child initiated experiments.  Some activities will be have the children chart different types of weather, plant seeds in clear cup then chart height after they have predicted the height before recording, have children record findings in individual science journal and so forth.  Also check out Sid the Science Kid to show small video clips and have the children conduct their own investigation on show themes.

Review your state requirement to have the minimum materials then add others based on conversations with children (their interest) and related study theme (lesson plan) hands-on activities.    You can add materials for the children to investigate without you sharing with them but peak their curiosity then proceed with activities for investigation, predictions, journaling and so forth.  Also, encourage children to bring in natural things that will be shared with others and investigated as needed such as leaves, rocks, acorns and so forth.  This will give you another opportunity to expose the children to global awareness when materials originated from and how transported to your state.  Here are some other websites to check out other science ideas. 

1.      http://www.prekinders.com/science-center/

2.     http://www.pinterest.com/prekpages/science-center-ideas/

3.     http://kellypfeiffer.hubpages.com/hub/Science-Centers-for-Preschoolers

Remember to add books into the center that will enhance the lessons.  Here is a list that you may want to include or rotate as needed.

1.      Science outside by Susan Canizare and Betsy Chessen

2.      Fall is for Friends by Suzy Spafford

3.      Weather Words and What they Mean by Gail Gibbons

4.      What Magnets Can Do by Allan Fowler

5.      The Four Season Book by Barron’s Educational Series, Inc.

The Early Childhood Environmental Rating Scale – Revised (ECERS-R) states that the center should include books, pictures, and/or audio/visual materials used to add information and extend the children’s hands-on experiences.  Also have natural/science activities that required more input from teachers that are offered least once every two (2) weeks such as cooking experiments with step-by-step chart, measuring, counting and so forth.

These are just some ideas that once taken under consideration should be inviting and expand children’s learning in science skills.

Ask Dr. BKW - Ideas for Pre-K Writing Center

The teacher shared the children were not going to the writing center after transition from circle to center time and is looking for ways to encourage them with making the center inviting.  Teachers please remember the goal for the writing center is not for children to formulate letters and words initially but this will come in time with maturity along with fine motor skills.  In addition, children can illustrate what is being stated and you can write the words for them.

Yes, the writing center gives preschoolers the opportunities to practice writing that enhance fine motor and literacy development giving them an appreciation for printed words.  Writing opportunities are just limited to the writing center but access to paper and writing utentils in every center for example clipboard with paper/pencil in the housekeeping center to record lunch order, science journal to record experiment results, use a large sheet of paper for children to sign-in upon entering the classroom for all the fun-filled activities for the day and so forth.

Here are some materials that can be added to the writing center.

1.      Recycled paper

2.      Pencils (appropriate size per children age/skill level)

3.      Wipe-off cards and dry erase markers

4.      Mini chalkboards and chalk

5.      Small stamps and stamp pads

6.      Index cards

7.      Markers

8.      Writing letters stencils

9.      Glue

10.  Scissors

Here are some other activities that can be used to enhance writing center.

1.      For upcoming themes (lesson plans) think of key words that will be enforced from conversations write (on sentence strips) and display throughout the classroom for children to write.  Also, add other items to assist with writing such as real leaves, picture of leaves and leaf stamp.   

2.      Write children’s first name on sentence strip and laminate for them to use dry markers to practice writing and erase as needed.

3.      Create WORD WALL where you post children’s first name then add key terms from study themes (lesson plans) with photo.

4.      Write title CAPTIONS on different study themes (lesson plans) and other related materials used during circle time and other conversations.  The words can be rotated throughout the week in the writing center.

5.      Children can write a book related to fieldtrip or study theme (lesson plan) investigation from their point of view.  If possible, add photos and laminate for long usage.

6.      Use the writing center into the Post Office.  Ask children/parents to have family members’ mail cards/letters to children at school then plot on world map places they came from as part of global awareness.

These are just some ideas that can be incorporated to the writing center that will encourage children to participate in and work on their fine motor skills.  In addition, do not limit the writing experiences to the writing center only because the whole environment should be rich-print and literacy based in all centers.