Best Science Options for Early Intervention
Compare the best Science options for Early Intervention. Side-by-side features, ratings, and verdict.
Early Intervention educators need science options that are hands-on, developmentally appropriate, and easy to embed into play, routines, and family coaching. The best choices for ages 0-5 support sensory exploration, simple cause-and-effect learning, and flexible adaptations for children with developmental delays or disabilities.
| Feature | Pre-K STEM from STEMIE | Mystery Science | PBS KIDS for Parents and Teachers | The Creative Curriculum for Preschool | Highlights Learning | Peekaboo Learning |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ages 0-5 Appropriate | Yes | Limited | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Hands-On Materials | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Family Coaching Support | Yes | Indirect | Yes | Some resources | Yes | Minimal |
| Adaptable for Disabilities | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Moderate | Some customization |
| Progress Monitoring | Limited | No | No | Yes | No | Basic |
Pre-K STEM from STEMIE
Top PickSTEMIE, the STEM Innovation for Inclusion in Early Education Center, offers free inclusive STEM resources specifically designed for young children, including those with disabilities. Its materials are especially valuable for educators who want evidence-informed science activities with strong accessibility considerations.
Pros
- +Built specifically around inclusion for young children with and without disabilities
- +Provides practical adaptations for participation, communication, and engagement
- +Strong alignment with UDL, embedded interventions, and naturalistic teaching practices
Cons
- -Less of a packaged curriculum and more of a resource hub
- -Some educators may need extra planning time to organize resources into a weekly sequence
Mystery Science
Mystery Science offers highly engaging, visual science lessons with simple experiments that can be adapted for preschool and kindergarten readiness. It works especially well for Early Intervention teams looking for structured ideas they can simplify into short, play-based exploration activities.
Pros
- +Uses everyday materials families often already have at home
- +Strong visual supports and clear pacing help children with language delays follow along
- +Many lessons can be shortened into 5-10 minute embedded interventions
Cons
- -Most content is designed for school-age learners, so providers need to heavily adapt for ages 0-3
- -Limited built-in tools for tracking IEP-related developmental progress
PBS KIDS for Parents and Teachers
PBS KIDS provides free science videos, simple investigations, and play-based learning ideas that fit well into natural environment instruction. Its family-friendly format makes it a strong option for coaching caregivers on routines and home activities.
Pros
- +Free resources are easy to share with families for home carryover
- +Content naturally supports language development, joint attention, and turn-taking during science play
- +Familiar characters can increase engagement for young children with autism or developmental delays
Cons
- -Science content is less systematic than a full curriculum
- -Providers may need to create their own documentation tools for service notes and progress tracking
The Creative Curriculum for Preschool
The Creative Curriculum includes investigation studies and interest-based science exploration that align well with preschool special education and inclusive early childhood classrooms. Its structure supports planning around developmental goals, accommodations, and embedded learning opportunities.
Pros
- +Well-suited to classroom routines, centers, and play-based instruction
- +Science investigations can be linked to communication, social-emotional, and fine motor IEP goals
- +Includes observation-based assessment tools useful for documenting developmental performance
Cons
- -Can be expensive for smaller programs or independent providers
- -Implementation requires training to fully individualize for children with significant support needs
Highlights Learning
Highlights Learning includes early childhood activities that support observation, sorting, nature exploration, and simple science inquiry. Its printable and family-friendly formats work well for blending classroom activities with caregiver coaching.
Pros
- +Offers developmentally appropriate activities that can be embedded into play and routines
- +Easy for caregivers to understand and use at home with minimal preparation
- +Supports foundational skills like describing, comparing, and predicting during science experiences
Cons
- -Science is one part of a broader early learning platform, so content depth is moderate
- -Teachers may need to add individualized supports for students with complex communication or motor needs
Peekaboo Learning
Peekaboo Learning offers digital early learning activities, including science-themed content, for toddlers and preschoolers. It can supplement direct instruction with short, engaging experiences for children who benefit from visual repetition and technology-supported learning.
Pros
- +Designed for early learners with simple visuals and brief tasks
- +Useful for reinforcing science vocabulary like weather, animals, and plants
- +Can support children who respond well to screen-based modeling and repetition
Cons
- -Less emphasis on real-world, sensory science exploration than hands-on options
- -Not a strong fit for providers who prioritize routine-based family coaching
The Verdict
For inclusive Early Intervention science, Pre-K STEM from STEMIE is the strongest choice because it is specifically designed for young children with disabilities and supports accessible, play-based participation. The Creative Curriculum is best for preschool classrooms that need a more comprehensive structure and built-in assessment, while PBS KIDS is an excellent free option for home-based services and family coaching. Mystery Science works well as a supplemental source of engaging experiments when teachers are comfortable adapting content downward for younger developmental levels.
Pro Tips
- *Choose options that support sensory exploration, cause-and-effect learning, and short attention spans common in ages 0-5.
- *Look for resources that can be embedded into daily routines like bath time, snack, outdoor play, and cleanup.
- *Prioritize materials that include family-friendly language so caregivers can carry over science learning between visits.
- *Check whether activities can be adapted for communication, motor, sensory, and cognitive needs across IDEA disability categories.
- *If progress monitoring is limited, pair the resource with your own developmental checklists, IEP objective notes, or authentic observation system.