EVIDENCE

Children’s Discovery’s programs are based on rigorous, evidence-based research into:

  • The Science of Play
  • Exponential Benefits of Early Learning
  • Importance of STEM Education

We also have plenty of evidence our programs are beneficial.

Greater minds than ours have done the research into the benefits of harnessing young children’s innate curiosity to set them on a path to lifelong STEM engagement.

Children’s Discovery offers unique and meaningful play experiences that are carefully researched and specifically designed to develop STEM-based skills and knowledge.

PS: If you only have another 8 minutes to spend on this site, watch this!

THE SCIENCE OF PLAY

Children’s Discovery offers unique and meaningful play experiences that are carefully researched and specifically designed to develop STEM-based skills and knowledge.

Below is a selection of research that explores the importance of play and its role in childhood development.

2021  Why Play Matters (LEGO Foundation)

The LEGO Foundation website provides the latest news and research into the superpower of play and its ability to fuel curiosity, spark creativity, and inspire a lifelong love of learning.

2017  What we mean by Learning through Play

The LEGO Foundation’s leaflet describes how play is an important vehicle for children’s learning and how playful experiences support children in developing skills to serve them, their communities and society throughout their lives.

2011  A world without play: a literature review

A literature review on the effects of a lack of play on children’s lives from the Play England organisation and British Toy & Hobby Association.

1997  Young children’s interactions with science exhibits

A Curtin University study into young children’s interactions with science exhibits prompted thought about play and its relationship with learning.

 

THE EXPONENTIAL BENEFITS OF EARLY LEARNING

“Early experiences affect the development of brain architecture, which provides the foundation for all future learning, behaviour, and health.” (Centre on the Developing Child – Harvard University)

2023  Benefits of Early Education

NSW Government website for parents and carers describing how quality early childhood education and care provides opportunities for learning and development.

2023  Benefits of Early Learning – First Five Years

The First Five Years website describes how profoundly important the early years are in a child’s development.

2022  Our STEM skilled future

An education roadmap for an innovative workforce from the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences & Engineering (ATSE).

2020  Why early education is important to you

University of Melbourne article describing how critical the first five years are for building the foundations of life-long learning, wellbeing, and health, and how policy reform and investment is required.

2019  How Australia can invest in children and return more – A new look at the $15b cost of late action

One of the first national reports that calculates spending by Commonwealth and state and territory governments across multiple issues and portfolios, including health, justice, human services and welfare focusing on issues faced by children and young people.

2015  The 13 Key Benefits of Early Childhood Education: A Teacher’s Perspective

Thirteen essential benefits of early childhood education honed from 35 years’ preschool teaching.

 

IMPORTANCE OF STEM EDUCATION

In the fast-paced technologically developing 21st century, confidence with STEM and the development of STEM-based capabilities is crucial for the development of workplace skills.

2022  Why is STEM important?

The gap between the knowledge generated in the education system and the skills demanded by employers and individuals is widening.We need to change our skills to match the changing world of work.

2021  Considering Young People’s Dislocation From STEM Education: Looking Beyond the Narrow Focus of Teaching and Learning Practice Within School

If young people are to increasingly engage with STEM and continue onto STEM-related careers, they must be able to see connections between their ‘school’ learning of STEM and the STEM knowledge that is enacted in rural work and life.

2018  Challenges of STEM Learning in Australian Schools

This literature and policy review outlines the complex context related to STEM learning and focuses on student outcomes, the teacher workforce and the curriculum.

2018  STEM Education Research: Content Analysis

People need to be qualified to adapt to innovations caused by the rapid change in information and technology. This would be realised with the integration of technology into education. In order to subsist in the world of science and technology the disciplines with an important role both now and in the future are science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

 

BENEFITS OF CHILDREN’S DISCOVERY

Children’s Discovery has already equipped over 400 libraries across Australia with our signature Little Bang Discovery Club, loanable Spark! boxes and Big Bang STEM workshops, as well as training a network of confident, locally based facilitators.  We have an over-95% approval rating from participants and facilitators alike.

FACILITATOR TESTIMONIALS

“Thanks so much for making your wonderful Little Bang Discovery Club program available to the children of the Kiama community. We are rolling out an ‘episode’ each week throughout the month of May.” – Kiama Library NSW

 

“We cannot speak highly enough of these programs. The structure and equipment of the courses are excellent, giving great opportunity to adapt to individual Library needs. These clubs have certainly added a new dimension to our Library services, which are appreciated by the community, school and staff alike!” – District Council of Lower Eyre Peninsula – Cummins School Community Library SA

 

“We love your SPARK kits! We have been trying to introduce science experiences into our libraries and find it a challenge to provide appropriate support for non-science staff to deliver programs. Your kits fill a gap for us – thanks!” – Richmond Tweed Regional Library NSW

 

“The Port Lincoln Library has had great success in incorporating the Little Bang Discovery Club sessions – a valuable and engaging program – into our Library and community.  Little Bang has proven to be popular, the program can be modified according to age and ability, the resources packs are comprehensive and appealing, we have children asking when they can have a turn and our children’s STEAM resources have been in high demand.  The Little Bang Discovery Club inspired a series of sessions on making slime and goop during the school holidays, measuring, mixing, estimating and getting gooey!”

 

“Little Bang has run at the library, at a pre-school and, due to our training, we ran a Forbes Science Discovery Day for families in Families Week (May) and a Science Stall at the Teddy Bear’s Picnic in Children’s Week, attended by 2000 people. We really appreciate Children’s Discovery building our capacity to deliver science for local families.” – Forbes Library NSW

 

“Our Little Bang-trained librarian has integrated ideas from Little Bang training into storytime e.g. uses the rainbow glasses to discuss light when reading stories about rainbows.” – Leeton Library, NSW

 

“Little Bang materials have been rotated amongst our seven branches so it has been running across the libraries one location per month (excluding Dec/Jan) with approx. 80 people attending per month.  Approximately annually over 700 people would attend this program annually. We also combined the Little Bang materials into our STEAM junior program, which also includes our robotics and tech sessions for young kids combined with the STEAM kits which are based on the tubs from your museum. These are used for our other STEAM junior sessions which are held monthly at all 9 libraries.  Approx. 15 would attend these sessions per month, so that’s over 1200 who attend each year.” – Logan Library QLD

 

PARENT TESTIMONIALS

“She loved it! It was wonderful to have the box to continue exploring at home…. she constantly asked when it was on next.” – Mother of 4-year-old, Cummins SA

 

“We shared most of what we learnt and experienced with our family and extended family.”

– Grandparent of 5-year-old, Blacktown NSW

 

“I now have the ideas and confidence to do science activities at home with my kids.”

– Single mother of 2- and 4-year-olds, Narrabri NSW

 

“My child loves it and has started applying scientific thinking to everyday life…He has decided he will be a scientist when he grows up.” – Mother of 5-year-old, Bairnsdale VIC

 

“This program really captured my child’s attention and she in turn captured her siblings’ attention through sharing throughout the 4 weeks…It was great to focus on science around the house.” – Father of 3- and 6-year-olds, Port Lincoln SA

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