Section 26.140  Curriculum:  Science

The competent early childhood teacher understands the interrelationships among science, technology and society; understands and applies fundamental concepts related to earth and space science, the life sciences, the physical sciences, and the environmental sciences; and promotes the scientific abilities of children as they acquire new knowledge through the use of scientific thinking, reasoning and inquiry.

a)         Knowledge Indicators – The competent early childhood teacher:

1)         understands the process of scientific inquiry and the interrelationships among science, technology and society;

2)         understands the principles of earth and space science, the life sciences and the physical sciences and their interconnectedness in everyday environments; and

3)         incorporates the Illinois Early Learning and Development Standards – Children Age 3 to Kindergarten Enrollment Age set forth in 23 Ill. Adm. Code 235.Appendix A, the Illinois Early Learning Guidelines – Children from Birth to Age 3 set forth in 23 Ill. Adm. Code 235.Appendix C, and the Illinois Learning Standards for Science set forth in 23 Ill. Adm. Code 1.Appendix D.

b)         Performance Indicators – The competent early childhood teacher:

1)         promotes and encourages children's innate curiosity about objects and events, respect for living organisms and appreciation of the environment;

2)         provides opportunities for children to conduct experiments, solve problems, apply the scientific process and incorporate safety practices during all investigations; and

3)         implements activities that foster children's application of the principles of earth and space science, the life sciences and the physical sciences, and exploration of their interconnectedness in everyday environments.

(Source:  Amended at 39 Ill. Reg. 2413, effective February 2, 2015)