when are childern first developmentally ready to being learning science?

ARRRRRGGGGG.

Science is doing, exploring, tinkering, comparing what is to what was thought.

I would start at about 2, with the first set of building blocks.

What is learned are process skills, that in essence is the heart of science thinking.

Yes, I suspect your Science Ed teacher has some other ideas.

because at such a young age children tend to learn kinesthetically, hands on. Science has an abundance of hands on learning oppurtunities

Kindergarten

Children can begin to engage with science from a very young age, as their curiosity and observational skills start to develop. However, their ability to understand complex scientific concepts will vary depending on their age and cognitive development.

To determine when children are first developmentally ready to begin learning science, we can look at different stages of their development:

1. Early Years (0-3 years): At this stage, children are naturally curious about the world around them. You can introduce them to basic scientific concepts through sensory activities, such as exploring different textures or playing with water and objects that float or sink. Engaging in simple experiments, like mixing colors or observing cause and effect, can help ignite their interest in science.

2. Preschool Years (3-5 years): During these years, children start developing language and reasoning skills, making it a good time to introduce more structured science activities. You can focus on topics like animals, plants, weather, and the environment. Conducting simple experiments, reading age-appropriate books about science, and encouraging them to ask questions will foster their scientific thinking.

3. Primary School Years (6-12 years): As children enter primary school, they can begin to grasp more complex scientific concepts. Science topics, such as life cycles, the solar system, matter, and forces, can be introduced. Encourage hands-on experiments, provide access to age-appropriate science books, and involve them in scientific investigations to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

It is important to remember that every child is unique, and their readiness to learn science will depend on their individual development. Providing a supportive and stimulating environment, along with age-appropriate resources and activities, will help children engage with science at their own pace.