14 TEACHING SCIENCE IN THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

 K. Be enthusiastic about the science activities of the pupils.
Those activities may be simple to you but to the children they
are new experiences.








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 A first grade science class investigates an out-of-door pool.

 Science Instruction and Characteristics of Children. Prob-
ably nearly all teachers would feel more secure and more confi-
dent of success in science instruction if they realized the extent
to which certain characteristics of children serve as allies in in-
struction. As knowledge of the elementary school child accu-
mulates, it is increasingly clear that many of the outstanding
characteristics of children of this age are the very qualities
needed for effective science learning. A brief review of some of
the characteristics shows the relationships.
 Children are curious and inquisitive. They have been learn-
ing by investigating since they were babies. The inquisitive
spirit needs to be kept alive.
 Children are responsive and sensitive to their environment,
reacting to many aspects of the environment that adults take for
granted. This responsiveness needs to be encouraged if the most
effective science learning is to take place.
 Children are imaginative and creative. They like to assist
in planning, trying, and doing. Science offers plenty of scope
for participation, for choices, for formulating and trying hypo-
theses.