Science Camp Made Simple for Preschool

Our study of force was probably my favorite day in Science Camp for the month of August by our curriculum partner, Mother Goose Time.

When a science lesson is THIS fun, solid learning through sensory play is taking place and a love of learning is taking root in these little learners.

We began our lesson on force by passing out straws and blowing air hard and slowly through the tube.  Some straws went up noses and the children noticed they could blow that way too!  I explained that when we blow hard or soft we are using air as force.  I then passed out the paper and gave each little one a pile of colored sand.  I wanted them to be able to experience "force" for themselves.  I placed a glue barrier at the top of each paper so the sand would not be blown all the way across the table and into the face of another child.  

I then asked the children to move the sand using nothing but the straws.  Some blew slowly and cautiously, others tore loose and the sand went flying!  I explained that both were an example of "force."  The "force" of the air is making the sand move.  They asked for more and more and more sand.  They practiced blowing at differing speeds and making designs in the sand by blowing very softly.  They began to realize that when they were blowing soft, they maintained control of the direction of the sand as opposed to blowing hard.  

AMAZING!!!

As you can see we have a mixed age large group from 6 months to 4.5 years.  This lends itself to the little children being exposed to concepts that they may not get to do in a same age traditional preschool setting and for those children to advance at their own pace.  Further, it allows the older children to help the younger children experience and understand by example.  ​
We are like a great big family and that's they way we like it!!

There is a TON of research why a mixed age setting is actually a better way for children to learn over segregating children by age.  One of my favorites is by https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/freedom-learn/200809/why-we-should-stop-segregating-children-age-part-iii "Older children are excellent teachers of younger ones, partly because they are not too far ahead of the younger ones."

"Daniel Greenberg made this point in one of his books about Sudbury Valley, where he wrote: "Kids love to learn from other kids. First of all, it's often easier. The child teacher is closer than an adult to the student's difficulties, having gone through them somewhat more recently. The explanations are usually simpler, better. There's less pressure, less judgment." [2]"

​But that is for another post!!!  

Oh honey, this little guy has force down!!!

This little fella' is the very definition of force.  He is force.  

He has force.

He does everything with force!!

He exudes energy and enthusiasm and makes each lesson more fun with his "outside of the box" thinking.  

He had enough of the straws and decided to experience the sand with his hands and face!!

We will just pretend that was part of the lesson plans!!!  

He LOVES to get messy because he LOVES water and a mess always means he gets to wash up in the sink!!!  (clever little learner!!)

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We are not afraid of messes around here.  That is a sure sign of a valuable lesson that made it's mark.

Sand, straws, glue and paper - simple ingredients that equaled another great day of play!

As always, I wish you well and I hope you get to play today!!

​-L