More Emphasis on Wonder

“Science is the pursuit of meaning, patterns and truths about our world” write Kelly Twibell and Diane Harkins in an article that forms the basis of an "Out of the Box" Training Kit, “Beyond Nature Hikes and Butterflies: Expanding Children’s Capacity for Scientific Inquiry.”

“As children grow,” the authors explain, “their search for meaning takes on new intentionality and focus; they begin to experiment…If I add red to the blue, it will turn purple. What will happen if I add brown?...

At one time, children’s science education focused heavily on memorizing facts and on other rote learning experiences. There was a flaw, however, in this educational approach. Fact-based education asks children, quite literally, to ‘check’ their imaginations at the front door.” The authors assert that the role of the early childhood practitioner in supporting children’s science learning is to “place less emphasis on the facts and more emphasis on wonder.”

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