CHLD 123: Science Experiences for Children

Citrus College Course Outline of Record

Citrus College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Fall 2025
Credits: 2
Total Contact Hours: 36
Lecture Hours : 36
Lab Hours: 0
Hours Arranged: 0
Outside of Class Hours: 72
Total Student Learning Hours: 108
Strongly Recommended: ENGL C1000.
Transferable to CSU: Yes
Transferable to UC: No
Grading Method: Standard Letter

Catalog Course Description

This course focuses on planning and implementing science experiences to engage preschool and early school-age children (0-7 years). Students will analyze and plan developmentally appropriate curriculum that supports children's understanding of life, earth, ecology and physical science concepts. This course provides exposure to formal, informal and incidental science activities and direct use of science materials to engage children's learning. Students will analyze the teacher's role in incorporating science concepts within the total program for children. 36 lecture hours.

Course Objectives

  • Explain early childhood science "process" approach.
  • Define and describe basic "processes" and topics to be used in planning and implementing developmentally appropriate early childhood education science activities.
  • Explain and assess the teacher's role in engaging children in developmentally appropriate science activities in early childhood education classrooms.
  • Evaluate and plan developmentally appropriate science experiences for young children.
  • Educating families about early childhood science curriculum and "home-school" learning connections.

Major Course Content

  1. The Process of Science
    1. Early childhood science experiences
    2. The "process" approach in early childhood science experiences
    3. Processes used in early childhood science 
    4. Formal, informal and incidental science
  2. Scientific Concepts
    1. Scientific method
    2. Life, earth, ecology and physical science
  3. Developmentally Appropriate Practice and Considerations
    1. Science experiences for infant & toddlers
    2. Science experiences for preschool age children
    3. Science experiences for early school-age children
    4. Diverse learning styles
  4. Developmentally Appropriate Curriculum Lesson Planning
    1. Curriculum/lesson planning for Early Childhood Education activities and experiences                       
    2. The teacher's role in promoting children's experimentation, inquiry, problem solving and critical thinking 
    3. Project approach
    4. Investigations
    5. The Early Childhood Education Science Center             
  5. Integrating Science Across the Curriculum                                    
    1. Language and literacy
    2. Creative thinking and art experiences
    3. Math
    4. Outdoor experiences 
  6. Parent Education
    1. Informing parents about the Early Childhood Education Science program
    2. Informing parents about developmentally appropriate science experiences
    3. Parents sharing science experiences
    4. "Home-School" learning connections

Suggested Reading Other Than Required Textbook

1) Preschool Pathways to Science: Facilitating Scientific Ways of Thinking, Talking, Doing and Understanding (2010) by Gelman, R. & Brenneman, K. & G. MacDonald, & M. Roman.
2) Early Science Learning for Infants and Toddlers (2024), Head Start Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center. https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/school-readiness/article/early-science-learning-infants-toddlers

Examples of Required Writing Assignments

1) Develop a collection of developmentally appropriate activity lesson plans and samples for use in the early childhood education classroom setting. 2) Observe and provide a written analysis of early childhood education science curriculum and evaluate for developmental appropriateness. 3) Observe and provide a written analysis about implementation of early childhood science experiences and evaluate for effective teaching strategies and child engagement.

Examples of Outside Assignments

1) Written analysis of science resources including supplies and materials available to early childhood educators. 2) Written evaluation of science curriculum activities and environments in early childhood education settings. 3) Design written lesson plans of Developmentally Appropriate science curriculum activities for young children.

Instruction Type(s)

Lecture, Online Education Lecture