Science for Little Hearts and Hands

Name: Science for Little Hearts and Hands
Brand: The Good and the Beautifulhttps://www.goodandbeautiful.com/

by The Good and the Beautifulhttps://www.goodandbeautiful.com/

ScienceGrades Pre-K–2

About This Curriculum

A gentle introduction to science for preschool through second grade using a unit study approach with beautifully illustrated stories, hands-on activities, discussion questions, and engaging videos or audio narrations.

What makes it unique: Story-based unit study curriculum combining natural world exploration with Christian worldview principles; offered in five topical courses designed for open-and-go parent-directed instruction.

Science for Little Hearts and Hands: Gentle Nature Study Approach

Science for Little Hearts and Hands is The Good and the Beautiful's science curriculum for preschool through second grade that uses a unit study approach with beautifully illustrated stories, hands-on activities, and multimedia elements. The curriculum covers four thematic units (Fields and Flowers, Wind and Waves, Sparks and Stars, and Bone and Stones) designed as a gentle introduction to science concepts through nature study and exploration.

Best for

Homeschool families seeking a gentle, literature-based introduction to science for preschool through second grade, particularly those comfortable with Charlotte Mason pedagogy and minimal religious content

Evaluation Criteria

1 strength · 2 concerns · 3 neutral · 1 insufficient evidence

Hands On IntegrationStrength

The curriculum effectively integrates hands-on activities with content instruction through structured experiments and observations.

Each lesson includes experiments and observations using household items, with parent guides providing explanatory information, such as the multi-day barometer construction and air pressure observation activity

Retrieval PracticeConcern

The curriculum lacks systematic review and retrieval practice mechanisms across lessons and units.

While one reviewer mentioned reviewing past lessons, the curriculum structure does not explicitly incorporate spaced review or retrieval practice activities

Scientific VocabularyConcern

Scientific vocabulary development appears limited, with emphasis on narrative storytelling rather than explicit terminology instruction.

Reviews focus on engaging stories and activities but do not mention systematic vocabulary instruction or scientific terminology development

Knowledge RichNeutral

The curriculum provides substantial content through detailed stories and fun facts but emphasizes breadth over systematic knowledge building.

Each Big Book contains over 200 pages with 14-17 stories per unit, and stories include 'Fun Facts' sections that provide additional information, though the unit study approach may lack systematic progression

Teacher TrainingNeutral

The curriculum provides clear parent guidance but limited science content background for instructors.

Parent guides include detailed lesson instructions and discussion questions, making it 'open-and-go,' but reviews do not mention science background information for parents

Direct InstructionNeutral

The curriculum provides structured parent guidance but relies heavily on storytelling and discovery rather than explicit concept instruction.

Parent guides include clear instructions in orange font and content to read in black font, with discussion questions following stories, but the approach emphasizes narrative over direct teaching

Ngss AlignmentInsufficient Evidence

Alignment to rigorous science standards cannot be determined from available review evidence.

Reviews do not mention NGSS alignment or standards coverage, focusing instead on thematic content and activity quality

Sources: cathyduffyreviews.com, medium.com