Science Learning in Playful Learning Environments: A Study from US Early Childhood Classrooms

Abstract

Science may be a particularly vital subject in early life, serving not just to provide the foundation for future scientific understanding, but to expanding understanding and recognition of the value of young children's thinking and learning. therefore, designing learning environment to support children’s playful science learning is getting important. For this purpose, the current study was conducted to instigate how playful learning environments support children’s science learning. The data of this study was collected from four different US early childhood learning environments. The analysis of the data showed that children’s playful discoveries promotes their scientific skills and science learning. In these learning environments, children are encouraged to play more and explore a variety of situations in these learning environments thanks to the materials chosen and the design of the learning centers that encourage interaction between children. The findings of the current study suggest that exemplary practices should be developed in order to move away from traditional learning environments and to support learning through play, and to raise awareness on this issue, starting with teacher candidates.

Keywords

• playful learning
• science learning
• playful learning environments