The PEEP and the Big Wide World Explorer's Guide, designed for early childhood classrooms, invites children and teachers to explore science in the world around them. Six units offer hands-on explorations that lead to rich science learning as well as lots of fun. Each unit features an animated PEEP story and related live-action video clips in both English and Spanish. Family Science letters — also in English and Spanish — encourage families to continue the exploration and learning at home.
(PDF files can be viewed and printed using the free Adobe Reader.)
Introduction – 403KB PDF
Welcome to the PEEP Explorer's Guide. Includes a list of contents and related online videos.
Preschool Science: The PEEP Approach – 478KB PDF
Learn about the PEEP approach to preschool science. Learn about related resources.
Explore Shadows
Outdoors, make shadows in the sunlight. Indoors, explore shadows with lamps and flashlights. View the featured PEEP story and related live-action videos in English or Spanish.
Explore Water
Indoors, use the water table to discover how water moves and the ways objects behave in water. Outdoors, explore puddles, raindrops, and waterways. View the featured PEEP story and related live-action videos in English or Spanish.
Explore Plants
Indoors, plant seeds and bulbs and track their growth. Outdoors, observe the trees and plants growing nearby. View the featured PEEP story and related live-action videos in English or Spanish.
Explore Color
Indoors, mix and sort colors. Outdoors, observe colors in nature and explore colored light. View the featured PEEP story and related live-action videos in English or Spanish.
Explore Sound
Indoors, explore sounds you can make with your body and voice, then shake, tap, and pluck various objects. Outdoors, take a Listening Walk and imitate the sounds you hear. View the featured PEEP story and related live-action videos in English or Spanish.
Explore Ramps
Outdoors, explore slides and hills and discover the best surfaces for rolling. Indoors, experiment with ramps and explore the movement of objects that slide and roll. View the featured PEEP story and related live-action videos in English or Spanish.
Family Science Letters – 2.8MB PDF
Share simple ideas for science play at home, along with recommended books and online activities. The letters are provided in both English and Spanish.
Head Start Outcomes Correlation Chart – 63KB PDF
Archived Webinar for Teachers
WGBH and Education Development Center (EDC) introduce teachers to the PEEP Explorer's Guide and the fundamentals of science inquiry instruction in this recorded presentation.