Abstract
What accounts for the change between young children’s very early and incessant curiosity about the world around them and the consistent finding that middle- and high-school students are typically not highly motivated to learn about science? Children’s typical motivational trajectories during elementary school, and particularly the early grades, are largely unknown. Furthermore, research is sparse on how young children’s science instruction is related to their motivation to learn and understand science-related concepts and processes. In this chapter we provide an overview of the limited research findings about young children’s science motivation, and discuss why it is crucial that more research during this developmental period is generated. We review and critique the nature of the existing research in terms of both its theoretical underpinnings and the various methodological approaches used. We also outline our thoughts about the methodological and theoretical advancements we believe to be necessary for researchers to learn more about young children’s science motivation. Finally, we consider implications of science motivation research for teaching practices and curricular approaches used in preschool and the early elementary grades.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Adamson, L. B., Foster, M. A., Roark, M. L., & Reed, D. B. (1998). Doing a science project: Gender differences during childhood. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 35, 845–857.
Alexander, J. M., Johnson, K. W., & Kelley, K. (2012). Longitudinal analysis of the relations between opportunities to learn about science and the development of interests related to science. Science Education, 96, 763–786.
Andre, T., Whigham, M., Hendrickson, A., & Chambers, S. (1999). Competency beliefs, positive affect, and gender stereotypes of elementary students and their parents about science versus other school subjects. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 36, 719–747.
Archambault, I., Eccles, J. S., & Vida, M. N. (2010). Ability self-concepts and subjective value in literacy: Joint trajectories from grades 1 through 12. Journal of Educational Psychology, 102, 804–816.
Aschbacher, P. R., Li, E., & Roth, E. J. (2010). Is science me? High school students’ identities, participation and aspirations in science, engineering, and medicine. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 47, 564–582.
Aunola, K., Leskinen, E., Onatsu-Arvilomni, T., & Nurmi, J. E. (2002). Three methods for studying developmental change: A case of reading skills and self-concept. British Journal of Educational Psychology, 72, 343–364.
Baram-Tsabari, A., Sethi, R. J., Bry, L., & Yarden, A. (2006). Using questions sent to an ask-a-scientist site to identify children’s interest in science. Science Education, 90, 1050–1072.
Baram-Tsabari, A., & Yarden, A. (2005). Characterizing children’s spontaneous interests in science and technology. International Journal of Science Education, 27, 803–826.
Beghetto, R. A., & Baxter, J. A. (2012). Exploring student beliefs and understanding in elementary science and mathematics. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 49, 942–960.
Berhenke, A., Miller, A. L., Brown, E., Seifer, R., & Dickstein, S. (2011). Observed emotional and behavioral indicators of motivation predict school readiness in Head Start graduates. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 26, 430–441.
Black, A. E., & Deci, E. L. (2000). The effects of instructors’ autonomy support and students’ autonomous motivation on learning organic chemistry: A self-determination theory perspective. Science Education, 84, 740–756.
Blank, R. K. (2013). Science instructional time is declining in elementary schools: What are the implications for student achievement and closing the gap? Science Education, 97, 830–847.
Britner, S. (2008). Motivation in high school science students: Comparison of gender differences in life, physical, and earth science classes. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 45, 955–970.
Britner, S., & Pajares, F. (2006). Sources of science self-efficacy beliefs of middle school students. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 43, 485–499.
Brown, A. L. (1997). Transforming schools into communities of thinking and learning about serious matters. American Psychologist, 32, 399–413.
Brown, A. L., Campione, J. C., Metz, K. E., & Ash, D. B. (1997). The development of science learning abilities in children. In K. Härnqvist & A. Burgen (Eds.), Growing up with science: Develo** early understanding of science (pp. 7–40). London: Jessica Kingsley.
Callannan, M. A., & Jipson, J. L. (2001). Explanatory conversations and young children’s develo** scientific literacy. In K. Crowley, C. D. Schunn, & T. Okada (Eds.), Designing for science: Implications from everyday, classroom, and professional settings (pp. 19–49). Mahwah: Erlbaum.
Caswell, L. J., & Duke, N. K. (1998). Non-narrative as a catalyst for literacy development. Language Arts, 75, 108–117.
Chapman, J. W., Tunmer, W. E., & Pronchow, J. E. (2000). Early reading-related skills and performance, reading self-concept, and the development of academic self-concept: A longitudinal study. Journal of Educational Psychology, 92, 703–708.
Chouinard, M. M. (2007). Children’s questions: A mechanism for cognitive development. Monographs of the Society for Research in Child Development, 72(1, Serial No. 286), vii–ix.
Cleaves, A. (2005). The formation of science choices in secondary school. International Journal of Science Education, 27, 471–486.
Denissen, J. J. A., Zarrett, N. R., & Eccles, J. S. (2007). I like to do it, I’m able, and I know I am: Longitudinal couplings between domain-specific achievement, self-concept, and interest. Child Development, 78, 430–447.
Dickinson, V. L., & Young, T. A. (1998). Elementary science and language arts: Should we blur the boundaries? School Science and Mathematics, 98, 334–339.
Donovan, C. A., Smolkin, L. B., & Lomax, R. G. (2000). Beyond the independent-level text: Considering the reader-text match in first-graders’ self-selections during recreational reading. Reading Psychology, 21, 309–333.
Early, D. M., Iruka, I. U., Ritchie, S., Barbarin, O. A., Winn, D. C., Crawford, G. M., et al. (2010). How do pre-kindergarteners spend their time? Gender, ethnicity, and income as predictors of experiences in pre-kindergarten classrooms. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 25, 177–193.
Eccles, J. S. (2005). Subjective task value and the Eccles et al. model of achievement-related choices. In A. J. Elliot & C. S. Dweck (Eds.), Handbook of competence and motivation (pp. 105–121). New York: Guilford Press.
Eccles (Parsons), J., Adler, T. F., Futterman, R., Goff, S. B., Kacazala, C. M., Meece, J. L., et al. (1983). Expectancies, values and academic behaviors. In J. T. Spence (Ed.), Achievement and achievement motivation (pp. 75–146). San Francisco: Freeman & Co.
Eccles, J., Wigfield, A., Harold, R. D., & Blumenfeld, P. (1993). Age and gender differences in children’s self- and task perceptions during elementary school. Child Development, 64, 830–847.
Eder, R. A. (1990). Uncovering young children’s psychological selves: Individual and developmental differences. Child Development, 61, 849–863.
Fay, A. L. (1998). The impact of CRO on children’s interest in and comprehension of science and technology. In L. Hoffman, A. Krapp, K. A. Renninger, & J. Baumert (Eds.), Gender and interest: Proceedings of the Seeon conference on interest and gender (pp. 205–214). Kiel: University of Kiel Press.
Fleener, C. E., Morrison, S., Linek, W. M., & Rasinski, T. V. (1997). Recreational reading choices: How do children select books? In W. M. Linek & E. G. Sturtevant (Eds.), Exploring literacy (pp. 75–84). Pittsburg: College Reading Association.
Fredricks, J. A., & Eccles, J. S. (2002). Children’s competence and value beliefs from childhood through adolescence: Growth trajectories in two male-sex-typed domains. Developmental Psychology, 38, 519–533.
Freedman-Doan, C., Wigfield, A., Eccles, J. S., Blumenfeld, P., Arbreton, A., & Harold, R. (2000). What am I best at? Grade and gender differences in children’s beliefs about ability improvement. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 21, 379–402.
French, L. (2004). Science as the center of a coherent, integrated early childhood curriculum. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 19, 138–149.
Frome, P. M., & Eccles, J. S. (1998). Parents’ influence on children’s achievement-related perceptions. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 74, 435–452.
Fulp, S. L. (2002). 2000 National survey of science and mathematics education: Status of elementary school science teaching. Retrieved from http://2000survey.horizon-research.com/reports/elem_science.php.
Furtak, E. M., & Alonzo, A. C. (2010). The role of content in inquiry-based elementary science lessons: An analysis of teacher beliefs and enactment. Research in Science Education, 40, 425–449.
Gelman, R., & Brenneman, K. (2004). Science learning pathways for young children. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 19, 150–158.
Gottfried, A. E., Fleming, J. S., & Gottfried, A. W. (2001). Continuity of academic intrinsic motivation from childhood through late adolescence: A longitudinal study. Journal of Educational Psychology, 93, 3–13.
Gottfried, A. E., Marcoulides, G. A., Gottfried, A. W., & Oliver, P. H. (2009). A latent curve model of parental motivational practices and developmental decline in math and science academic intrinsic motivation. Journal of Educational Psychology, 101, 729–739.
Graham, S., & Weiner, B. (2012). Motivation: Past, present, and future. In K. R. Harris, S. Graham, & T. Urdan (Eds.), APA educational psychology handbook (Theories, constructs, and critical issues, Vol. 1, pp. 367–397). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
Greenfield, T. A. (1996). Gender, ethnicity, science achievement, and attitudes. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 33, 901–933.
Harkrader, M. A., & Moore, R. (1997). Literature preferences of fourth-graders. Reading Research and Instruction, 36, 325–339.
Harter, S., & Pike, R. (1984). The pictorial scale of perceived competence and social acceptance for young children. Child Development, 55(1969), 1982.
Helmke, A., & van Aken, M. A. G. (1995). The causal ordering of academic achievement and self-concept of ability during elementary school: A longitudinal study. Journal of Educational Psychology, 87, 624–637.
Hendley, D., Stables, S., & Stables, A. (1996). Pupils’ subject preferences at Key Stage 3 in South Wales. Educational Studies, 22, 177–186.
Hernandez, P. R., Schultz, P. W., Estrada, M., Woodcock, A., & Chance, R. C. (2013). Sustaining optimal motivation: A longitudinal analysis of interventions to broaden participation of underrepresented students in STEM. Journal of Educational Psychology, 105, 89–107.
Hickey, D. T. (1997). Motivation and contemporary socio-constructivist instructional perspectives. Educational Psychology, 32, 175–193.
International Reading Association. (2012). Literacy implementation guidance for the ELA Common Core State Standards. Washington, DC: International Reading Association. Retrieved from http://www.reading.org/Libraries/association-documents/ira_ccss_guidelines.pdf.
Jacobs, J. E., Lanza, S., Osgood, D. W., Eccles, J. S., & Wigfield, A. (2002). Changes in children’s self-competence and values: Gender and domain differences across grades one through twelve. Child Development, 73, 509–527.
Järvelä, S., & Volet, S. (2004). Motivation in real-life, dynamic, and interactive learning environments: Stretching constructs and methodologies. European Psychologist, 9, 193–197.
Judson, E. (2010). Science education as a contributor to adequate yearly progress and accountability programs. Science Education, 94, 888–902.
Kaplan, A., & Maehr, M. L. (2002). Adolescents’ achievement goals: Situating motivation in socio-cultural contexts. In F. Pajares & T. Urdan (Eds.), Adolescence and education (Academic motivation of adolescents, Vol. 2, pp. 125–167). Greenwich: Information Age.
Klein, E. R., Hammrich, P. L., Bloom, S., & Ragins, A. (2000). Language development and science inquiry: The head start on science and communication program. Early Childhood Research and Practice, 2(2), 1–22.
Lamb, R. L., Annetta, L., Meldrum, J., & Vallett, D. (2012). Measuring science interest: Rasch validation of the science interest survey. International Journal of Science and Mathematics Education, 10, 643–668.
Lee, P. C. (2012). The human child’s nature orientation. Child Development Perspectives, 6, 193–198.
Lee, O., & Brophy, J. (1996). Motivational patterns observed in sixth-grade science classrooms. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 33, 303–318.
Lerkkanen, M., Kiuru, N., Pakarinen, E., Viljaranta, J., Poikkeus, A., Rasku-Puttonen, H., et al. (2012). The role of teaching practices in the development of children’s interest in reading and mathematics in kindergarten. Contemporary Educational Psychology, 37, 266–279.
Mantzicopoulos, P., & Neuharth-Pritchett, S. (2003). Development and validation of a measure to assess Head Start children’s appraisals of teacher support. Journal of School Psychology, 41, 431–451.
Mantzicopoulos, P., & Patrick, H. (2008). Unpublished data.
Mantzicopoulos, P., & Patrick, H. (2010). “The seesaw is a machine that goes up and down”: Young children’s narrative responses to science-related informational text. Early Education and Development, 21, 412–444.
Mantzicopoulos, P., & Patrick, H. (2013). A framework for studying young children’s socially derived motivation for science. Manuscript under review.
Mantzicopoulos, P., Patrick, H., & Samarapungavan, A. (2008). Young children’s motivational beliefs about learning science. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 23, 378–394.
Mantzicopoulos, P., Patrick, H., & Samarapungavan, A. (2013). Science literacy in school and home contexts: Kindergarteners’ science achievement and motivation. Cognition and Instruction, 31, 62–119.
Mantzicopoulos, P., Samarapungavan, A., & Patrick, H. (2009). “We learn how to predict and be a scientist:” Early science experiences and kindergarten children’s social meanings about science. Cognition and Instruction, 27, 312–369.
Marx, R. W., & Harris, C. J. (2006). No Child Left Behind and science education: Opportunities, challenges, and risks. Elementary School Journal, 106, 467–477.
Measelle, J. R., Ablow, J. C., Cowan, P. A., & Cowan, C. P. (1998). Assessing young children’s views of their academic, social, and emotional lives: An evaluation of the self-perception scales of the Berkeley Puppet Interview. Child Development, 69, 1556–1576.
Metz, K. E. (1995). Reassessment of developmental constraints on children’s science instruction. Review of Educational Research, 65, 93–127.
Mohr, K. A. (2006). Children’s choices for recreational reading: A three-part investigation of selection preferences, rationales, and processes. Journal of Literacy Research, 38, 81–104.
National Academy of Sciences, & National Academy of Engineering, and Institute of Medicine. (2010). Rising above the gathering storm, revisited: Rapidly approaching category 5. Washington, DC: National Academies Press. Retrieved from http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12999.
National Governors Association Center for Best Practices & Council of Chief State School Officers. (2010). Common core state standards. Washington, DC: Authors.
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development-Early Child Care Research Network. (2005). A day in third grade: A large-scale study of classroom quality and teacher and student behavior. Elementary School Journal, 105, 305–323.
National Research Council. (2007). Taking science to school: Learning and teaching science in grades K-8. Washington, DC: National Academy Press.
Nayfeld, I., Brenneman, K., & Gelman, R. (2011). Science in the classroom: Finding a balance between autonomous exploration and teacher-led instruction in preschool settings. Early Education and Development, 22, 970–988.
Nieswandt, M. (2007). Student affect and conceptual understanding in learning chemistry. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 44, 908–937.
Nolen, S. B. (2001). Constructing literacy in the kindergarten: Task structure, collaboration, and motivation. Cognition and Instruction, 18, 95–142.
Nunnally, J. C., & Bernstein, I. H. (1994). Psychometric theory (3rd ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.
Pappas, C. C. (1993). Is narrative “primary?” Some insights from kindergarteners’ pretend readings of stories and information books. Journal of Reading Behavior, 25, 97–129.
Patrick, H., & Mantzicopoulos, P. (2008). Teacher rating scale of children’s motivation for science. Unpublished manuscript, Department of Educational Studies, Purdue University, West Lafayette.
Patrick, H., & Mantzicopoulos, P. (2014). Engaging young children with informational books. Thousand Oaks: Corwin Press.
Patrick, H., & Mantzicopoulos, P. (2015). The role of meaning systems in the development of motivation. In C. Rubie-Davies (Ed.), The Routledge international handbook of social psychology of the classroom (pp. 67–79). New York: Routledge.
Patrick, H., Mantzicopoulos, P., & Samarapungavan, A. (2009). Motivation for learning science in kindergarten: Is there a gender gap and does integrated inquiry and literacy instruction make a difference? Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 46, 166–191.
Perez-Granados, D., R., & Callanan, M. A. (1997). Parents and siblings as early resources for young children’s learning in Mexican-descent families. Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences, 19, 3–33.
Peterson, S. M., & French, L. (2008). Supporting young children’s explanations through inquiry science in preschool. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 23, 395–408.
Piaget, J. (1955). The language and thought of the child. Cleveland: The World Publishing Company.
Pressick-Kilborn, K., & Walker, R. (2002). The social construction of interest in a learning community. In D. McInerney & S. Van Etten (Eds.), Research on socio-cultural influences on motivation and learning (pp. 153–182). Greenwich: Information Age.
Price, L. H., Bradley, B. A., & Smith, J. M. (2012). A comparison of preschool teachers’ talk during storybook and information book read-alouds. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 27, 426–440.
Przetacznik-Gierowska, M., & Ligeza, M. (1990). Cognitive and interpersonal functions of children’s questions. In G. Conti-Ramsden & C. E. Snow (Eds.), Children’s language (Vol. 7, pp. 69–101). Hillsdale: Lawrence Erlbaum.
Ready, D. D., & Wright, D. L. (2011). Accuracy and inaccuracy in teachers’ perceptions of young children’s cognitive abilities: The role of child background and classroom context. American Educational Research Journal, 48, 335–360.
Renninger, K. A. (2000). Individual interest and development: Implications for understanding intrinsic motivation. In C. Sansone & J. M. Harackiewicz (Eds.), Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation: The search for optimal motivation and performance (pp. 373–404). San Diego: Academic Press.
Rouge, E. C., Hansen, J., Muller, P., & Chien, R. (2008). Evaluation of Indiana Reading First program. Center for Evaluation & Education Policy. Retrieved from https://dc.doe.state.in.us/ReadingFirst/pdf/Evaluation_of_IN_RF_Program_Year_5_08-09.pdf.
Saçkes, M., Trundle, K. C., Bell, R. L., & O’Connell, A. A. (2011). The influence of early science experience in kindergarten on children’s immediate and later science achievement: Evidence from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 48, 217–235.
Sadler, P. M., Sonnert, G., Hazari, Z., & Tai, R. (2012). Stability and volatility of STEM career interest in high school: A gender study. Science Education, 96, 411–427.
Samarapungavan, A., Patrick, H., & Mantzicopoulos, P. (2011). What kindergarten students learn in inquiry-based science classrooms. Cognition and Instruction, 29, 416–470.
Schunk, D. H., Pintrich, P. R., & Meece, J. L. (2008). Motivation in education: Theory, research, and applications (3rd ed.). Englewood Cliffs: Merrill Prentice-Hall.
Schwartz, S. J. (2001). The evolution of Eriksonian and neo-Eriksonian identity theory and research: A review and integration. Identity, 1, 7–58.
Scientific Literacy Project. (2009). http://www.purduescientificliteracyproject.org
Shymansky, J. A., Yore, L. D., & Anderson, J. O. (2004). Impact of a school district’s science reform effort on the achievement and attitudes of third- and fourth-grade students. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 41, 771–790.
Stipek, D., Feiler, R., Daniels, D., & Milburn, S. (1995). Effects of different instructional approaches on young children’s achievement and motivation. Child Development, 66, 209–223.
Swarat, S., Ortony, A., & Revelle, W. (2012). Activity matters: Understanding student interest in school science. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 49, 515–537.
Tu, Y. (2006). Preschool science environment: What is available in a preschool classroom? Early Childhood Education Journal, 33, 245–251.
Turner, J. C. (1995). The influence of classroom contexts on young children’s motivation for literacy. Reading Research Quarterly, 30, 410–441.
Turner, J. C. (2001). Using context to enrich and challenge our understanding of motivational theory. In S. Volet & S. Järvelä (Eds.), Motivation in learning contexts: Theoretical advances and methodological implications (pp. 85–104). Amsterdam: Elsevier.
Turner, J. C., & Patrick, H. (2008). How does motivation develop and why does it change? Reframing motivation research. Educational Psychologist, 43, 119–131.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2002). Early childhood education and school readiness: Conceptual models, constructs, and measures. Unpublished manuscript. Washington, D.C.
Varelas, M., & Pappas, C. C. (2006). Intertextuality in read-alouds of integrated science-literacy units in urban primary classrooms: Opportunities for the development of thought and language. Cognition and Instruction, 24, 211–259.
Vedder-Weiss, D., & Fortus, D. (2011). Adolescents’ declining motivation to learn science: Inevitable or not? Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 48, 199–216.
Vitale, M. R., & Romance, N. R. (2012). Using in-depth science instruction to accelerate student achievement in science and reading comprehension in grades 1–2. International Journal of Science and Mathematics Education, 10, 457–472.
Watson, J., McEwen, A., & Dawson, S. (1994). Sixth form A level students’ perceptions of the difficulty, intellectual freedom, social benefit and interest of science and arts subjects. Research in Science and Technological Education, 12, 43–52.
Weiss, I. R., Pasley, J. D., Smith, P. S., Banilower, E. R., & Heck, D. J. (2003). A study of K-12 mathematics and science education in the United States. Chapel Hill: Horizon Research. Retrieved from http://www.horizon-research.com/insidetheclassroom/reports/looking/.
Wenner, G. (2003). Comparing poor, minority elementary students’ interest and background in science with that of their White, affluent peers. Urban Education, 38, 153–172.
Wigfield, A., & Eccles, J. S. (2002). The development of competence beliefs, expectancies for success, and achievement values from childhood through adolescence. In A. Wigfield & J. S. Eccles (Eds.), Development of achievement motivation (pp. 91–120). London: Academic Press.
Wigfield, A., Eccles, J. S., Schiefele, U., Roeser, R. W., & Davis-Kean, P. (2006). Development of achievement motivation. In W. Damon & R. M. Lerner (Eds in chief) and N. Eisenberg (volume Ed.). Handbook of child psychology. Volume 3: Social, emotional, and personality development (6th ed.; pp. 933–1002). Hoboken: Wiley.
Wigfield, A., Eccles, J. S., Yoon, K. S., Harold, R. D., Arbreton, A. J. A., Freedman-Doan, C., et al. (1997). Change in children’s competence beliefs and subjective task values across the elementary school years: A 3-year study. Journal of Educational Psychology, 89, 451–469.
Zimmerman, C. (2007). The development of scientific thinking skills in elementary and middle school. Developmental Review, 27, 172–223.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2015 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Patrick, H., Mantzicopoulos, P. (2015). Young Children’s Motivation for Learning Science. In: Cabe Trundle, K., Saçkes, M. (eds) Research in Early Childhood Science Education. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-9505-0_2
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-9505-0_2
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-94-017-9504-3
Online ISBN: 978-94-017-9505-0
eBook Packages: Humanities, Social Sciences and LawEducation (R0)