Science Exploration at Daycare 2026

Young children are natural scientists—curious, experimental, and eager to understand their world. Quality childcare programs nurture this innate scientific curiosity through exploration and discovery.

Science in Early Childhood

Natural Scientists

Children already:

• Ask endless questions
• Experiment constantly
• Observe carefully
• Make predictions
• Test theories

Early Science Is

Not worksheets but:

• Hands-on exploration
• Discovery and experimentation
• Observing and questioning
• Predicting and testing
• Natural curiosity

Key Science Concepts

Physical Science

Exploring:

• How things move
• Objects and materials
• Building and construction
• Cause and effect
• Forces and motion

Life Science

Learning about:

• Living things
• Plants and animals
• Growth and change
• Bodies and senses
• Habitats and needs

Earth Science

Discovering:

• Weather patterns
• Seasons and changes
• Water and its forms
• Rocks and soil
• Sky and nature

Scientific Thinking

Process Skills

Children develop:

• Observation
• Prediction
• Experimentation
• Comparison
• Drawing conclusions

Asking Questions

Science begins with:

• "What if...?"
• "Why does...?"
• "How come...?"
• "What happens when...?"

Investigation

Children learn to:

• Try things out
• See what happens
• Change variables
• Test again
• Notice patterns

Activities That Build Science Skills

Sensory Exploration

Examples:

• Water play experiments
• Sensory bins with materials
• Mixing and combining
• Texture exploration
• Temperature experiences

Nature Investigation

Activities:

• Observing insects
• Collecting leaves
• Watching weather
• Planting seeds
• Nature walks

Building and Engineering

Opportunities:

• Block construction
• Ramps and balls
• Building challenges
• Problem-solving
• Testing designs

Simple Experiments

Age-appropriate:

• Mixing colors
• Sinking and floating
• Magnets
• Shadow play
• Simple chemistry (baking soda/vinegar)

Quality Science Programming

What to Look For

Good programs:

• Discovery/science area
• Natural materials
• Exploration time
• Teacher facilitation
• Questions welcomed

Environment

Should include:

• Science center or area
• Magnifying glasses
• Natural collections
• Books about science
• Materials for experimenting

Teacher Role

Adults should:

• Ask open questions
• Wonder aloud
• Extend investigations
• Provide materials
• Document learning

STEM in Early Childhood

What STEM Is

Integrated approach:

• Science
• Technology
• Engineering
• Mathematics
• Connected learning

Age-Appropriate STEM

Not advanced concepts but:

• Hands-on exploration
• Problem-solving
• Building and creating
• Asking questions
• Play-based discovery

Activities

STEM includes:

• Building with blocks
• Exploring with water
• Simple machines
• Coding concepts (unplugged)
• Design challenges

Questions to Ask Programs

About Science

Ask:

• How do you incorporate science?
• What science activities do you offer?
• Is there a discovery area?
• How do you support curiosity?
• What about nature exploration?

About Approach

Understand:

• Play-based or academic?
• Teacher role in science?
• Materials available?
• Outdoor exploration?
• Connection to real world?

By Age

Infants

Science through:

• Sensory exploration
• Cause and effect
• Object manipulation
• Movement discovery
• Observing world

Toddlers

Exploring:

• Simple experiments
• Water and sand
• Nature discovery
• Cause and effect
• "What happens if...?"

Preschoolers

Expanding to:

• More complex experiments
• Scientific vocabulary
• Longer investigations
• Documentation
• Deeper questioning

Supporting at Home

Encouraging Curiosity

At home:

• Answer questions
• Explore together
• Provide materials
• Wonder aloud
• Value mistakes

Simple Activities

Try:

• Kitchen science
• Nature walks
• Collections
• Observation games
• Simple experiments

Being a Partner

With daycare:

• Ask about science activities
• Extend at home
• Share discoveries
• Value science learning
• Connect experiences

Key Takeaways

Young children are scientists:

• Natural curiosity
• Love experimenting
• Learn through doing
• Ask questions
• Need opportunities

Quality programs:

• Value exploration
• Provide materials
• Ask questions
• Support inquiry
• Connect to nature

Science is:

• Hands-on
• Play-based
• Question-driven
• Experimental
• Connected to world

At home:

• Encourage curiosity
• Explore together
• Value questions
• Simple experiments
• Nature connection

Science exploration in early childhood builds the foundation for lifelong scientific thinking and curiosity about how the world works.

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What every centre asks you to bring

Whatever else changes between programmes, the supply list barely does. These four turn up on nearly every one.

Best Nap Mat

Makemake Organics Organic Cotton Nap Mat

~$98

GOTS-certified with a removable, machine-washable cover, which is what decides whether a mat survives a year of daily use.

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Best Backpack

Skip Hop Sparks Kid's Backpack

$31

Sized for a preschooler rather than a school-age child, so it actually fits a classroom cubby.

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Best Lunch Box

Yumbox Original Leakproof Bento Lunch Box

$34

Leakproof compartments a small child can open unaided, which is the whole test for a daycare lunch.

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Best Labels

Name Bubbles Custom Name Labels (95 Labels)

~$43

Ninety-five waterproof labels in six sizes. Every centre requires everything named, and this covers a full year.

Check price on Amazon