Science Activities for Young Children

Overview

Framework:
RQF
Level:
Level 1
Unit No:
D/602/2388
Credits:
3
Guided learning hours:
27 hours

Assessment Guidance

n/a

Aim

The aim of this unit is to identify different science activities that may be suitable for children under five. They will need to plan a suitable activity and know how it will benefit the child.

Unit Learning Outcomes

1

Know science activities suitable for young children.

Additional details

Learners need to understand that children's curiosity of the world around them begins at birth. Babies use their senses to explore themselves and what is around them. Experiences for babies can include providing everyday household objects for them to explore, play equipment, different materials such as sand and water or natural objects to understand different textures and smells.

Older children can experience different scientific principles when involved in cooking activities such as heating and cooling or melting and dissolving. Modelling can help them find out how simple machines work. Learners need to be able to describe a science activity for both age groups. 

Assessment Criteria

  • 1.1
    List science activities suitable for children aged:
    • 18 months to 2 years
    • 3 years to 5 years.
  • 1.2
    Describe a science activity for each age range.
2

Know how to set up science activities to support the young child’s learning.

Additional details

Learners need to be able to set up a science activity. This may be the activity described in learning outcome one or a new activity. They purpose of the activity could be to consider hot and cold (safely); melting and freezing; cogs and gears using simple kitchen equipment; looking at the structure of fruit - pips, seeds, roots, shoots; effect of light on plants.

Learners need to know the resources they will use, any health and safety risks and any support the child will need. 

Assessment Criteria

  • 2.1
    List the resources needed to carry out the science activity for each age range.
  • 2.2
    Identify the possible health and safety risks for the listed science activities.
  • 2.3
    Identify the support the child may need when carry out the identified science activities previously listed.
3

Know the learning which young children can gain from science activities.

Additional details

The learner needs to know what the child will learn from the science activities. It may be helpful for them to think around the key areas of development i.e. physical, language, social and emotional, cognitive development.

Assessment Criteria

  • 3.1
    Identify what would be the expected learning for the child in each activity listed.