Experimenting with minerals in Early Childhood Education: evaluation of a free-choice science space

Abstract

This paper provides the design, implementation and evaluation of a free-choice space on minerals in Early Childhood Education from a Design-Based Research approach. Taking into consideration the recommendations in the literature on the design of these learning spaces, the paper portrays in detail the nine proposals included in this space: their location, materials and goals. AFter the implementation of the space with a group of 4-5 years old, scientific skills, interactions and their relationships were analysed. To do so, video recordings of classroom actions were analysed by using observation strategies. The results show that the materials chosen in each proposal, the interactions between peers and with the teacher are related to the type of scientific skills worked on by the children and their complexity. Possible improvements and the role of time and teachers in the evaluated space are discussed.