Electricity is something we rely on in our everyday lives at home, at work, indoors and out. Young children will be familiar with what electricity helps us do - see in the dark, watch television, enjoy music and computer games, cook, wash clothes and mow the lawn.
What do I need to know?
The following information provides you with the background knowledge to help you support young children's exploration and investigation. It is not intended that children in the Foundation Stage are taught these facts, but that you use the information to provide experiences which the children can draw on as they build their own scientific understanding.
What is electricity?
The word 'electricity' comes from the word 'electron'. Electrons are part of the structure of the molecules that all things comprise. Electricity is a form of energy which is very useful to us in the modern world. It can be stored, moved through cables and wires and converted easily into other forms of energy including light, heat and sound.
Mains electricity
Mains electricity is generated in power stations and comes into buildings along electrical cables. We make great use of mains electricity but it has to be treated with respect. Mains electricity is high voltage and extremely dangerous. Children must understand that electrical sockets are potentially dangerous and should not be touched.
Storing electricity
Electricity can be stored conveniently and safely in batteries. Batteries contain chemicals which react together to release electrons. When both metal terminals of a battery are connected by a loop, or circuit, electricity flows through the circuit. Eventually the chemicals in the battery are used up and no more electrons are released. The battery is then considered 'flat' and is no longer a source of energy.
Conductors and insulators
Electricity passes through some materials more easily than others.
Materials that allow electricity to pass through are called conductors. The best conductors are copper, silver and a form of carbon called graphite.
Materials which prevent the flow of electricity are called insulators.
Plastic, rubber and ceramic are all good insulators.
Electrical circuits
In a circuit, the electrical energy will flow from the battery through a loop of wire and metal components. The electricity flows in one direction, from the negative terminal of the battery to the positive terminal. The energy is transferred by electrons bumping into one another along the circuit. If the circuit is broken, for example by introducing a switch, the chain of electrons will be broken and the electrical energy will no longer flow.
When a light bulb is included in a circuit, the electricity makes a detour through the metal parts of the bulb. These include the metal terminals and the metal filament inside the glass bulb. The filament is a very thin piece of coiled wire. As the electricity pushes its way through the fine filament, the metal heats up and begins to glow, creating light and heat.
A single bulb will glow brightly. If a second bulb is added to the circuit, the level of brightness will be less, but both bulbs will be equally bright.
If a buzzer is added to a circuit, the electricity flows through the buzzer mechanism. This causes the metal parts of the buzzer to vibrate. The air inside the buzzer then vibrates, creating sound waves which travel to our ears, and we hear a noise.
Investigating
Safety first
- Make sure that you have talked to the children about the difference between mains electricity and batteries and the dangers of touching them.
- Ensure that children understand that while the equipment you have given them is safe to investigate, other plugs, sockets, switches and electric lamps are not.
- Emphasise that batteries are safe to handle as they are, but become dangerous if they are damaged or taken to pieces.
- Have a safety procedure in place in your setting in the event of a light bulb being broken.
Things to look out for during your investigations:
- Check that the batteries used are not flat.
- Make sure that the filament in the bulb isn't broken.
- Check that the bulb is screwed in tightly.
- Make sure that all the connections are secure.
- If something doesn't work, try doing the experiment again using it the other way round!
Making a simple circuit
This activity encourages children to look closely at electrical components and understand the concept of an electrical circuit. It works best with a small group and needs adult involvement.
What you need
MES 1.5V light bulbs, batten bulb holders, crocodile leads, flat shaped 4.5V batteries, magnifiers, drawing pencils and paper
What you do
- Encourage the children to work individually or in pairs, looking closely at a light bulb through a magnifier. Ask: 'Can you see the thin wire inside the bulb?' 'Where does it go'?
- You may wish to ask the children to draw a picture of the light bulb.
- Introduce the electrical components - the batten bulb holders, the crocodile leads and the batteries. Ask questions such as: 'Why do you think the leads are called crocodile leads?' 'Can you find the metal parts of the bulb, the bulb holder, the crocodile leads and the battery?'
- Give the children time to investigate lighting up the bulbs
- When the first pair have successfully made a simple circuit using the bulbs, bulb holders, leads and batteries, ask them to show the rest of the group. Ask: 'What did you do to make the bulb light up?' 'Which things are joined together?'
- Ask the children to make the lights go off. Ask: 'What did you do?'
Make a noise
This activity helps children to investigate what happens when other electrical components are added to a circuit.
What you need
Flat shaped 4.5V battery, crocodile leads, open push switch, buzzer
What you do
- In your science area, have a tray of electrical components available for the children to investigate.
- Vary the components you include. In this instance, make a battery, leads, a switch and a buzzer available. Do not tell the children what the 'new' component is or what it will do.
- Wait to see what happens when the children notice that a new component has been added to the selection they are familiar with.
- When you hear the buzzer work, gather the group of children together and talk about what has happened. Ask: 'Where else have you heard a buzzer?' 'What are they used for?'
- Encourage the children to experiment with combinations of the components you have introduced. (There will have to be agreed rules about when the buzzers are available.)
Find out more
- The Really Useful Science Book - A framework of knowledge for primary teachers by Steve Farrow (Routledge Falmer)
- The Little Book of Light and Shadow by Pat Brunton and Linda Thornton (Featherstone Education, www.featherstone.uk.com)
* Let's Explore - Electricity kits are available from Reflections on Learning www.reflectionsonlearning.co.uk
Vocabulary to introduce
bulb battery bulb holder crocodile lead light
wire circuit switch buzzer noise
on off push sound magnifier
Linda Thornton and Pat Brunton are education consultants with a special interest in science and technology for young children. Contact them at www.alcassociates.co.uk
