Kurz
First Name
Christopher
Last Name
Kurz
Department
Deaf Education
Scholarship Year
2025
Research Center
Non-Center Based
Scholarship Type
Book Chapter
Contributors List
Chris Kurz, N.R. Neild, Nathan E. Harrison, Patrick Graham
Project Title
NA
Start Date - Month
January
Start Date - Year
2025
End Date Anticipated - Month
December
End Date Anticipated - Year
2025
End Date Actual - Month
September
End Date Actual - Year
2025
Review Types
Non-Blind Peer Reviewed
Student Assistance
None
Projected Cost
$0.00
Funding Source
Other - NA
Resulting Product
NA
Citation

Harrison, Nathan E. 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 N.R. Neild. Hershey, PA: IGI Global Scientific Publishing, 2025. 259-288. Web. ˜

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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