{"id":1863,"date":"2025-06-08T22:16:18","date_gmt":"2025-06-08T22:16:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sayyestochildcare.org\/?p=1863"},"modified":"2025-06-08T22:17:37","modified_gmt":"2025-06-08T22:17:37","slug":"exploring-science-in-infant-toddler-and-2s","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sayyestochildcare.org\/en\/exploring-science-in-infant-toddler-and-2s\/","title":{"rendered":"Exploring Science in Infant, Toddler, and 2s"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"1863\" class=\"elementor elementor-1863\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-9cb3019 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"9cb3019\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-62c2da4\" data-id=\"62c2da4\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-37790a5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"37790a5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Exploring Science in Infant, Toddler, and 2s Classrooms: The Wonder Begins Early<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-e55f2e3 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"e55f2e3\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-05db17b\" data-id=\"05db17b\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-757f461 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"757f461\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" src=\"https:\/\/sayyestochildcare.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Untitled-design-2025-05-19T151714.856-1-1536x864.jpg\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536 wp-image-1865\" alt=\"Toddler exploring science\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sayyestochildcare.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Untitled-design-2025-05-19T151714.856-1-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/sayyestochildcare.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Untitled-design-2025-05-19T151714.856-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sayyestochildcare.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Untitled-design-2025-05-19T151714.856-1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/sayyestochildcare.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Untitled-design-2025-05-19T151714.856-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sayyestochildcare.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Untitled-design-2025-05-19T151714.856-1-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/sayyestochildcare.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Untitled-design-2025-05-19T151714.856-1-18x10.jpg 18w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1536px) 100vw, 1536px\" title=\"\">\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-8dfdf63 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"8dfdf63\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-ced2384\" data-id=\"ced2384\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7b45963 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7b45963\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>When we think about science education, it\u2019s easy to picture older children in labs with microscopes or science projects. But did you know that the foundation for a lifelong love of science begins much earlier\u2014right in infant, toddler, and 2-year-old classrooms?<\/p><p>At Say Yes To Childcare, we believe that science is all about curiosity, discovery, and exploration, and these are qualities naturally found in every young child. Early science experiences don\u2019t require complex experiments. Instead, they start with everyday moments of wonder and play.<\/p><p><strong>Why Science Matters for Young Children<\/strong><\/p><p>Science in early childhood supports critical thinking, problem-solving, and observation skills. It encourages children to ask questions about the world around them, test ideas, and learn through their senses. These early experiences foster creativity and a sense of confidence in learning \u2014 skills that will benefit children throughout their education and life.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-a618900 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"a618900\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-88fcf50\" data-id=\"88fcf50\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a2980b0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"a2980b0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/sayyestochildcare.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Untitled-design-2025-05-19T152038.649-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-image-1866\" alt=\"toddler watering flowers\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sayyestochildcare.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Untitled-design-2025-05-19T152038.649-1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/sayyestochildcare.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Untitled-design-2025-05-19T152038.649-1-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/sayyestochildcare.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Untitled-design-2025-05-19T152038.649-1-8x12.jpg 8w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" title=\"\">\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-457dbab\" data-id=\"457dbab\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8a5cdf6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8a5cdf6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>What Does Science Look Like in Infant and Toddler Classrooms?<\/strong><\/p><p>In infant and toddler classrooms, science is about exploration with all the senses. Caregivers can support scientific learning by:<\/p><ul><li><strong>Encouraging Sensory Play:<\/strong> Let babies and toddlers touch, smell, see, hear, and even taste safe objects. Water play, sand, and natural materials like leaves and stones introduce concepts like texture, temperature, and cause and effect.<\/li><li><strong>Talking About Nature:<\/strong> Point out the changes in weather, the growth of plants, or the sounds of birds. Naming these experiences helps build vocabulary and an understanding of natural phenomena.<\/li><li><strong>Simple Experiments:<\/strong> Toddlers might enjoy watching what sinks or floats in water or how ice melts. These observations introduce basic scientific ideas like properties of materials and change.<\/li><\/ul><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><strong>Science Activities for 2-Year-Olds<\/strong><\/p><p>As children grow into their 2s, they can begin to explore more structured science activities, such as:<\/p><ul><li><strong>Planting Seeds:<\/strong> Watching seeds sprout and grow teaches children about life cycles and care.<\/li><li><strong>Exploring Magnets:<\/strong> Using magnets to attract or repel objects encourages inquiry and prediction.<\/li><li><strong>Mixing Colors:<\/strong> Combining different colors of water or paint introduces experimentation and observation.<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1d8d509 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1d8d509\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>The Role of Caregivers and Teachers<\/strong><\/p><p>Adults play a key role in nurturing scientific thinking by being curious alongside children. Asking open-ended questions like \u201cWhat do you notice?\u201d or \u201cWhat do you think will happen next?\u201d encourages children to think deeply and express their ideas. Celebrating discoveries, no matter how small, helps build confidence and a positive attitude toward learning.<\/p><p><strong>Supporting Early Science at Home and in Childcare<\/strong><\/p><p>Families and childcare providers can work together to provide rich science experiences by sharing ideas and resources. Everyday moments\u2014like cooking, gardening, or a walk in the park\u2014can be opportunities for science exploration.<\/p><p>At Say Yes To Childcare, we are committed to supporting caregivers with tools and training to bring science into the youngest classrooms, helping children develop a lifelong love of learning.<\/p><p>Looking for more inspiration? <a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/sayyestochildcare.org\/en\/blog\/\" rel=\"noopener\" data-start=\"263\" data-end=\"297\">Return to the main blog page.<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a361d40 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"a361d40\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/sayyestochildcare.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Untitled-design-2025-05-19T152703.318-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1867\" alt=\"toddler mixing colors\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sayyestochildcare.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Untitled-design-2025-05-19T152703.318-1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/sayyestochildcare.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Untitled-design-2025-05-19T152703.318-1-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/sayyestochildcare.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Untitled-design-2025-05-19T152703.318-1-8x12.jpg 8w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" title=\"\">\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When we think about science education, it\u2019s easy to picture older children in labs with microscopes or science projects. But did you know that the foundation for a lifelong love of science begins much earlier\u2014right in infant, toddler, and 2-year-old classrooms?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1865,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"give_campaign_id":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1863","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sayyestochildcare.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1863","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sayyestochildcare.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sayyestochildcare.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sayyestochildcare.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sayyestochildcare.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1863"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/sayyestochildcare.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1863\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1960,"href":"https:\/\/sayyestochildcare.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1863\/revisions\/1960"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sayyestochildcare.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1865"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sayyestochildcare.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1863"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sayyestochildcare.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1863"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sayyestochildcare.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1863"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}