Now in its Third Edition, Young Investigators provides an introduction to the project approach with step-by-step guidance for conducting meaningful investigation with young children. The authors have expanded their bestseller to include two new chapters, How Projects Can Connect Children with Nature and Project Investigations as STEM, and to provide more help to teachers of the youngest children (toddlers) and older children (2nd grade). The new edition also shows teachers how to use standards in the topic selection process and identifies activities and experiences that will help children grasp key concepts and skills. Throughout the text, readers listen to teachers' concerns, witness how they find solutions to challenges, and experience how excited children become during project work. This book is appropriate for those new to using the Project Approach, as well as for teachers who already have experience with implementing the Project Approach. Book features include: examples of projects from child care centers and preschool, K - 2, and special education classrooms; instructions for incorporating standards and STEM skills into project work; a variety of experiences to help children connect to the natural world; toddler projects that reflect knowledge from recent mind/brain research; tools for integrating required curriculum goals and for assessing achievement; a Teacher Project Planning Journal; and a study guide for pre- and inservice teachers.

Projects and young children -- Getting started -- Developing the project -- Investigation -- Concluding the project -- Preschoolers engaged and learning -- Using the project approach with toddlers -- How projects can connect children with nature -- Project investigations as STEM experiences -- "Yes, but" thinking and project work.