Teachers can make the following suggestions to caregivers to facilitate their support of history and social science:<\/p>\r\n\r\n
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Use science learning as an opportunity to involve caregivers by inviting them to the program and by sending home suggestions for activities that they can do with their children.<\/li>\r\n \t
Communicate to caregivers their important role in supporting children\u2019s curiosity and the development of scientific knowledge.<\/li>\r\n \t
Share with family members your approach to science and how you support children\u2019s development of inquiry skills.<\/li>\r\n \t
Invite family members to come and talk with the teacher and children about their beliefs and connections to nature<\/li>\r\n \t
Share the importance of active, hands-on explorations of objects and materials<\/li>\r\n \t
Inform caregivers about children\u2019s explorations and experimentations with objects and materials.<\/li>\r\n \t
Involve family members as volunteers and provide rich resources in the preschool environment.<\/li>\r\n \t
Provide caregivers with enrichment and follow-up activities they can do with children at home.<\/li>\r\n \t
Ask caregivers about children\u2019s previous experiences, cultural beliefs, and theories about living things.<\/li>\r\n \t
Share with caregivers children\u2019s experiences with science in the classroom.<\/li>\r\n \t
Remind family members of the many opportunities to engage children in life science explorations outside the preschool environment.<\/li>\r\n \t
Provide family members with tips to support children\u2019s awareness and understanding of their natural environment.[1]<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
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References<\/h2>\r\n
[1]\u00a0The California Preschool Curriculum Framework, Volume 3\u00a0by the California Department of Education is used with permission<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n