Physics in early learning in kindergarten and primary school

Abstract

Tema ovog rada je rano učenje s naglaskom na fiziku. Tijekom 20. stoljeća prevladavalo je mišljenje da su djeca u vrtiću premlada za upoznavanje s konceptima prirodnih znanosti i da se u tim godinama trebaju samo igrati. Brojna istraživanja s početkom 21. stoljeća pokazuju da je upoznavanje djece s konceptima prirodnih znanosti, tehnologije, inženjerstva i matematike (STEM) ključno za njihovo daljnje napredovanje i usmjeravanje prema tim područjima. Kada govorimo o fizici, zainteresirati djecu za fiziku u višim razredima osnovne škole ili u srednjoj školi je jako teško. Tada više ne postavljaju pitanja, ne istražuju. Djeca u ranoj dobi su znatiželjna, postavljaju pitanja, izvode pokuse. Stoga je to pravo razdoblje da ih se izloži zanimljivim fizikalnim konceptima i potakne na suradnju i istraživanja. Kako se u ranoj dobi najintenzivnije stvaraju trajne kognitivne veze u mozgu, ovakav pristup stvara temelje na kojima se puno kvalitetnije mogu graditi daljnja znanja u STEM područjima. U okviru ovog rada dan je prikaz nekih iskustava uvođenja ranog učenja fizike u svijetu te je osmišljena i izvedena radionica pod nazivom „Gledajmo zvuk, slušajmo svjetlost“. Razvoj ideja i programa ključan je za edukaciju odgajatelja i učitelja kako bi samostalno mogli uvoditi ovakve sadržaje u nastavu.The subject of this diploma thesis is early learning with an emphasis on physics. During the 20th century, the opinion was that children in kindergarten were too young to get acquainted with the concepts of natural sciences and that they should only play in those years. Numerous researches at the beginning of the 21st century show that introducing children with the concepts of natural sciences, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) is key to their further advancement and orientation towards the area. When talking about physics, making children interest in physics in elementary or secondary school is very difficult. They no longer ask questions, they do not investigate. Children at an early age are curious, ask questions, perform experiments. This is the right time for them to be exposed to interesting physical concepts and to encourage cooperation and research. Since the most intense forms of permanent brain connections are at an early age, such an approach creates the basis for building more knowledge in STEM areas much better. Within this thesis, we present some of the experiences of introducing early learning of physics in the world, and a workshop called "Let's See the Sound, Listen to the Light" has been designed and performed. The development of ideas and programs is crucial for educating kindergarten educators and teachers to introduce such content into teaching