Determining children's understanding of electricity

The findings of a study that investigated 5- to 7-year-old children's understanding of electricity are presented. Data were collected from a group of Transition/ Year 1 children who were involved in a unit on flashlights over a 4-week period (7 lessons × 1 hr). The method of teaching used is known as an interactive approach to teaching science (Biddulph & Osborne, 1984). At the conclusion of the unit on flashlights and 3 months later, the children were interviewed about their understanding. The children's views (whether scientific or alternatives) that they acquired as a result of participating in the science lessons were maintained over the 3-month time interval; this finding supports Hand's (1989) finding about older children's learning.