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Singaporean preschool children learning science through play
Citation
Goh, M. T., Ong, W. L. M., Teo, T. W., & Yan, Y. K. (2014). Singaporean preschool children learning science through play. In Y.-J. Lee, N. T.-L. Lim, K. S. Tan, H. E. Chu, P. Y. Lim, Y. H. Lim, & I. Tan (Eds.), Proceedings of the International Science Education Conference (pp. 575-603). National Institute of Education (Singapore).
Abstract
Play has an important role throughout childhood as children learn and develop through engaging in play. The aim of this study was to examine how purposeful play can be used to introduce and facilitate the learning of science ideas and scientific skills in young children in the Singapore context. Science activities were carried out with preschool children aged 5 to 6 through the use of purposeful play, and the video and audio recordings of the science activities were analysed using qualitative coding methods to identify the science learning that took place while engaging in purposeful play. The coded data were written into narratives to illustrate the process and learning outcomes of the science activities conducted using purposeful play. The findings of this study indicate that young children are able to display science process skills and learn science ideas through engaging in purposeful play.
Date Issued
2014
Description
This paper was presented at the International Science Education Conference 2014 held in Singapore from 25 – 27 Nov 2014