Early childhood and primary science

This unit introduces you to the concepts, curriculum and pedagogical approaches associated with the teaching of science to children in early childhood and primary school settings. You will analyse critically, evaluate and transform information from a range of curricula, including the Australian Early Years Learning Framework and the Victorian curriculum. Specifically, you will recognise that knowledges are culturally constructed and they research a range of world views about science. Important conceptual scientific ideas and different pedagogical approaches will be critiqued. The planning and teaching of science programs will be undertaken in the context of studying teaching strategies for 21st century learners that are developmentally age appropriate across cultural and curricula contexts, for different science concepts and across year levels in early childhood settings, primary school, homes and communities. You will be engaged in hands-on learning tasks aimed at developing your skills and confidence towards teaching science as a continuum of learning from early childhood to primary school settings. Different technologies will be examined and how these can be used to support and extend learning using strategies that support the safe, responsible and ethical use of ICT in teaching and learning.