Content Area IID: Promoting Cognitive Development: Science

On this page
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Level 4
Level 5

Level 1

• Takes walks in the neighborhood or community to observe natural objects and events.
• Discusses objects and events that have been observed indoors and outdoors.

Level 2

• Encourages children to ask questions and find answers through active exploration of materials in the environment.
• Actively participates in sand and water play with children.
• Shares children’s progress and achievements in science learning with families.

Level 3

• Observes nature and natural phenomena and makes predictions about natural events (e.g., growing seeds, caring for animals, charting weather).
• Asks questions to facilitate children’s reflection on what they are learning (e.g., why a snowball melts into water when inside a warm room; why some objects float and others sink).
• Provides more information to extend areas of children’s observations and interest (e.g., pictures and discussion of animals who hibernate in the winter or who live in the ocean).
• Models and discusses importance of reusing and recycling and caring for the environment.
• Provides materials and experiences that encourage curiosity and promote a sense of wonder in children.
• Encourages and offers simple parent-child science activities.

Level 4

• Plans activities and provides materials for a variety of sensory experiences (e.g., focusing on sight, smell, hearing, taste, and/or touch).
• Creates simple charts and graphs to document information observed in science activities.
• Provides opportunities for enhancing the ability to observe, see, and perceive and to pay attention to natural phenomena.
• Arranges field trips to nature centers, parks, and farms, with related preparation for and reflection on the experience.

Level 5

• Arranges opportunities for children and families to work on community projects such as community gardens or picking up litter in park areas.
• Includes approaches to scientific thinking and problem solving in staff development programs.