Uppeldi og menntun - 01.07.2006, Side 67

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abstract
This paper deals with the evaluation of the effects that certain physics activities had
on preschool children. The children view them as play activities; however they are
also physics ex­periments with specific educational aims. The research was carried
out in collaboration with eight practitioners and most of the 80 three to six­ year old
children at the Hamraborg pre-school in Iceland. Data was collected through particip-
ant observation, videotaping and in meetings with the teachers. all teachers kept note-
books during and after the sessions. In addition, a questionnaire was sent to parents.
Findings show that the great majority of the children enjoyed the activities immen-
sely. The activities also seem to have affected the way the children pay attention to
certain phenomena. There are also some indications that those ex­periences may have
changed the way some of the children think about these phenomena.
HaUkUr aras­on, kris­tín norð­daHl