Advancing the development of early childhood science data collection instruments

Abstract

There is a growing emphasis on the teaching of science, through play, in early childhood settings. As there are an infinite number of science content areas to be explored within a child centered approach, equipping children with the process skills of science permits them to learn in areas of their own interest. Supporting process skill development provides teachers with significant scope and currently little guidance for teaching science, making early childhood teacher competence in science critical. This study constitutes the first phase of a doctoral research project that will investigate early childhood science teaching practice by examining (1) teachers’ assessment and reflection practices, and (2) teachers’ attitudes towards teaching science in early childhood. This study pilots two data collection instruments, designed to support teachers to implement an informal early childhood science curriculum. The first involves the use of a science process skill rubric and the second provides an online platform for teacher collaborative reflection and learning. Further, a teacher questionnaire on attitudes towards teaching science was also piloted. An applied thematic analysis of data was conducted to determine what adaptations to the three resources would increase their functionality and goodness of fit for purpose. In addition, data collected from the questionnaire was analysed to provide a rich understanding of participant attitudes towards teaching science in early childhood. Findings demonstrate that these are unique, user friendly resources for teachers that provide structure to the assessment process and an opportunity for networking with other early childhood teachers. To support teachers’ use of the instruments, an opportunity for professional learning was identified to develop teacher capabilities in scaffolding children’s science process skills. Further, several adaptations to the resources emerged from the data and are discussed in detail.