Harrison
First Name
Nathan
Last Name
Harrison
Department
Master of Science in Secondary Education
Scholarship Year
2025
Research Center
Non-Center Based
Scholarship Type
Book Chapter
Contributors List
Chris Kurz, Nathan Harrison, Nena Raschelle Neild, Patrick Graham
Project Title
Early Childhood Deaf Education: Teacher Preparation and Instructional Approaches
Start Date - Month
September
Start Date - Year
2024
End Date Anticipated - Month
August
End Date Anticipated - Year
2025
End Date Actual - Month
August
End Date Actual - Year
2025
Review Types
Blind Peer Reviewed
Student Assistance
None
Projected Cost
$0.00
Funding Source
Operating Budget
Resulting Product
Book chapter explaining how to integrate science instruction into early childhood deaf education
Citation

Harrison, Nathan and Chris Kurz. "Fostering Science Learning for Deaf Children in Early Childhood." Early Childhood Deaf Education: Teacher Preparation and Instructional Approaches. Ed. Patrick Graham and Nena Raschelle Neild. Hershey, PA: IGI Global, 2025. 259-288. Print. *

Abstract

Deaf children are natural born scientists. They explore their natural surroundings, build things, make sense of the world through their senses. Many Deaf children do not have such opportunities to build such background knowledge through social interaction and language before they arrive in early childhood programs due to lack of or limited language access. It is critical to provide unstructured and structured science learning activities where learners can develop critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and foster inquiry-based learning. This chapter will explore the elements of science pedagogy for Deaf children who use sign language in early childhood classrooms with an emphasis on four key areas: play and inquiry-based and hands-on learning approaches; using SL as a primary language of instruction; incorporating written language for literacy development in science; and visual/tactile aids and multimedia integration. In addition, a sample lesson plan for early childhood is included that is not an inherently “science” lesson but integrates scientific learning into the plan.

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