Back to Annual Meeting

Back to Annual Meeting

APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

H. Liesel Copeland, PhD¹, Kathleen Haynie, PhD², and Jill V. Reid¹. (1) UMDNJ- School of Public Health, 683 Hoes Lane West, 1st Floor, Room 135, Piscataway, NJ 08854, 7322354646, prc.hlc@verizon.net, (2) Kathleen Haynie Consulting Services in Educational Evaluation and Research, 00 address, Skillman, NJ 08558

Introduction: Early childhood science education is a developing field and may be important to improve school readiness and encourage an exploratory mindset. An early focus on nutrition and fitness in a science inquiry setting may set the stage for a life-long approach of conscientious decision-making towards nutrition and fitness. If preschool students are engaged and find the activities relevant, the content may theoretically set the stage for obesity prevention.

Methods: We conducted activity log surveys of the use of six themed science kits in five preschools. Additionally, we supplemented the quantitative data with observations and interviews conducted in two preschools with different population samples. How teachers utilize the activities and children's responses to the nutrition and fitness activities are compared to other science themes (e.g., sound, water, senses).

Results: Teachers are finding the kits useful for promoting science inquiry in their classrooms. They appreciate having all the supplies together and find that the suggested activities promote further ideas. Some difficulty is found in engaging children younger than three. Children are very engaged and doing hands-on exploration with most of the activities. Data is being gathered to compare the nutrition and fitness activities with other science content areas. Teachers discuss the match of nutrition and fitness content to early childhood education.

Conclusion: Utilizing science as a core curriculum component can be instrumental in encouraging children's naturally inquisitive mindsets and promoting communication and decision making skills. Such skills will not only enhance school readiness, but may promote adoption of good health practices.

Learning Objectives: