Teaching natural science concepts to young children with mobile devices and hands-on activities. A case study

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Abstract
Over the years, researchers and educators have used various forms of ICT to deliver innovative ideas and teach young children. Technologies are always perceived as catalysts which can enliven the process of teaching and learning. The present study presents, an experimental teaching intervention, which seeks to examine whether early childhood children aged five to seven can develop an understanding of the concept of gravity and knowledge about the planets using hands-on activities, as well as smart mobile devices and the programming environment of ScratchJr. The need to use ScratchJr emerged from the lack of developmentally appropriate software suitable for digital creation and programming in preschool education. The results of the study were quite encouraging as the children started developing an understanding of the concept of gravity, and there was an improvement in their existing knowledge of the planets.