Teach science to your child – you don’t have to be a scientist

Here at DestinyBaby.com we have talked about the fact that teaching science to your pre-schooler doesn’t require an advanced degree. Rather, a willingness to learn with your child and nurture their natural curiosity through guided activities will help your child to develop an interest in the sciences and discover the world that surrounds them.

Modern science is a way of knowing the world, based on observing, classifying and organizing, predicting, testing, and making conclusions. Conclusions can be modified when new observations are made. The cycle repeats again and again, and is rooted in what we can observe with our senses.

Since science is based on observation, children also form scientific “theories” to explain why it rains, why things drop when you let them go, why a ball rolls, and much more. You can help your child to understand basic scientific concepts by looking at things in new ways. Ask them questions about their playthings. For example, you could ask your child, “Do you think a ball could roll by itself?” or “What do you think makes a ball roll faster?” The thing is to stimulate thinking about what she or he knows and how she or he knows it.

So, what other simple science activities can you initiate to get your child to go down the scientific learning path? Don’t overwhelm them with a lot of bells and whistles; simple works best. Introduce a few ideas and focus your attention on those. Find hobbies or activities based on your child’s personality and interests, as well as ones appropriate for where you live. Get her or him to help pick out an activity. Hands-on science activities, such as puzzles and objects they can shape or control are great. Remember that science is cumulative. To learn new concepts requires building upon what has been learned before.

The building blocks of learning science are in every day experience, from watching animals like birds or squirrels, natural patterns like morning dew, ocean tides, or the cycle of the sun and moon or in daily activities like cooking and baking or using a washing machine and dryer. Your child can become a budding scientist through simple activities at home or around the neighborhood.

If you are looking for more sophisticated (computerized) tools and resources for encouraging your child to learn basic reading skills, math and science concepts, and more, check out our review of educational tools for toddlers.