Susan H. Freeman
Papers
1
Total Citations
18
H-Index
1
About
Susan H. Freeman is a developmental and educational psychologist whose research illuminates how young children engage with science texts and discourse. Her most-cited work, "Robots versus Spaceships: The Role of Discussion in Kindergartners' and Second Graders' Preferences for Science Text" (1995), has garnered 18 citations and remains a foundational study in early science literacy. Freeman’s key research areas include children’s text preferences, the influence of classroom discussion on learning, and the development of scientific reasoning in early childhood. Her major contribution lies in demonstrating that even kindergartners and second graders actively shape their engagement with science through social interaction—challenging assumptions that young children are passive recipients of information. By showing how discussion can shift preferences from narrative to expository science texts, Freeman provided educators with evidence-based strategies to foster curiosity and critical thinking from the earliest school years. Her work continues to influence curriculum design and pedagogical approaches in elementary science education, underscoring the power of dialogue in building foundational scientific literacy.
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