Ohio Assessments for Educators (OAE) Early Childhood Practice Exam

Which activity in a preschool classroom best fosters children's understanding of chemistry concepts?

1. Blowing on balloons to keep them airborne

2. Scooping sand and pouring it through a sieve

3. Creating design with a sand pendulum

4. Mixing ingredients and baking cookies

The correct answer is: Mixing ingredients and baking cookies

The activity of mixing ingredients and baking cookies is an excellent way to foster children's understanding of chemistry concepts. This process introduces young learners to fundamental principles such as changes in state (e.g., solid to liquid), chemical reactions (like when baking soda interacts with acid), and the transformation of ingredients through physical and chemical processes. Children can observe firsthand how individual components combine and undergo change, experiencing the result when the batter transforms into cookies. This not only engages them in a hands-on activity but also integrates sensory experiences, such as smell and taste, making the scientific concepts more relatable and understandable. The process also offers opportunities for discussions about measurements, reactions, and even the concepts of temperature and time, which are critical in the scientific method. Engaging in this culinary chemistry encourages curiosity and exploration, essential components of early childhood education.