How to Set Up Your Nature and Science Preschool Center

In preschool, science is easily explored through nature. When you want to bring science into the classroom, the simplest way to do that is by bringing nature in. This gives your preschoolers the opportunity to observe the processes of nature, such as life cycles and other natural changes. Set up your nature and science preschool center by providing many opportunities to explore and observe science in a hands-on way.

PLACEMENT

It is always important to carefully plan where in the classroom you will put each learning center. For the nature and science center, a spot with lots of natural light is best. This is not only great for observing natural materials, but also very useful when trying to grow something in the nature and science center.

KEEP IT ORGANIZED

Just like with all of your preschool centers, keeping your nature and science center neat and organized will make it easier for your preschoolers to discover and explore. Make sure that everything has its own space and that everything is labeled with both a picture and print. Minimizing the amount of materials kept in the nature and science center will also help in keeping it organized. When you have too many items available, especially if there is no clear way to use them with the active science activity or experiment on display, your preschoolers are more likely to misuse them.

INCLUDE A VARIETY OF MATERIALS

With the nature and science center, less is more. Although there are a few key items that should always be in the science center, only the necessary materials should be out and available for use. It is an ever changing center, so the materials are also changing. This change in materials increases your preschoolers use of and exploration with a variety of science tools, instead of just sticking to what they are familiar and comfortable with. Here are some ideas for what to include in your nature and science center.

• Related science books
• Magnifying glasses
• Tape measurer
• Ruler
• A scale
• Paper
• Pencils
• Something to observe

PROVIDE HANDS-EXPERIMENTS

In preschool, all learning should be done with a hands-on approach. This couldn’t be more true when it comes to science. Young children need to be able to touch, smell, and observe the items that they are working with as they explore reactions and growth. Here are some fun hands-on experiments that your preschoolers can actively participate in.

• Vinegar and baking soda reactions
• Colored water and oil
• Dancing raisins (club soda and raisins)
• Water xylophone (varying amounts of water in glass jars)
• Growing plants
• Ramps and friction
• Mixing colors

Exploring nature and science is such a natural way for preschoolers to learn. When provided with hands-on experiments and science tools that they can have the freedom to explore, your preschoolers will be engaged and focused in the nature and science center. Set up your preschool nature and science center with exploration and discovery in mind, so that your preschoolers can make observations of nature and also experiment on their own.