The children are interested because these are their own rocks they brought from home. They can look at, touch, feel, and smell the rocks to their hearts' content. They get to know their rocks well and begin to appreciate each one's beauty. Mrs. Collins is conducting an excellent science lesson for preschool children. She is helping to lay a foundation upon which these children can build an understanding of geology, the earth, and its wonders.
Science is everywhere.
Young children are inquisitive, interested, questioning, and naturally curious about their world. Science is an important part of the preschool child's day. However, science will be meaningful to children only when activities are based on the way they learn. Children, ages two to seven, exhibit at least four behavioral characteristics that are important to keep in mind when planning science activities. A preschool child can focus, or center, on only one property of an object at a time.