Exploring Science in the Preschool Years: Identity Development and Learning Through Educational Narratives

Session Type: Symposium

Abstract

This symposium highlights research on the importance of educational narratives as tools to boost young children’s science curiosity, knowledge acquisition, and feelings of belonging. In Paper 1, a survey found that the view of science as elitist increases with age, making early childhood an important time to strengthen young children’s science identity. In Paper 2, science stories about biological inheritance appeared to have improved children’s learning from pre- to post-test. In Paper 3, a science storybook eliciting curiosity increased 4- and 5-year-old children’s performance on a related activity. These papers will be illuminated by a discussant with expertise in factors impacting early science education who brings a multifaceted understanding of the implications of this work to research, policy, and practice.

Sub Unit

• Division E - Counseling and Human Development / Division E - Section 2: Human Development

Chairs

• Sona Kumar, Purdue University

• Hannah Puttre, Boston University

Papers

• Examining Science Identity: Contributions of Social Factors to Individuals’ Belongingness to Science and Explanatory Tendency - Aarti Bodas, Boston University; Deborah Kelemen, Boston University; Malvika Khandelwal, Boston University; Cristian Latorre, Boston University; Ankita Kumar, Boston University

• Can Anthropomorphic Animals Bolster Children’s Science Learning From Media? - Deena Weisberg, Villanova University; James Alex Bonus, The Ohio State University

• Boosting Curiosity and Early Science Learning with Storybooks - Hannah Puttre, Boston University; Kathleen H. Corriveau, Boston University

Discussant

• Daryl B. Greenfield, University of Miami