Science invites a person to let the facts in, even when they do not confirm to our
preconceptions. It counsels us to carry alternative hypothesis and see which one best
matches the facts. True Science teaches us all to doubt and to be ignorant.
Science generally starts at home and parents can play an important role in getting their
children to learn Science. Children of young age are curious and love to explore and need
to start learning early.
Fun Activities To Promote Science Skills
Parents should encourage activities that are neither too hard nor too easy. Your children
can find plenty of projects that are fun. It is important to consider a child's social
habits and personality. Another thing, which is important, is to select the activities
appropriate for the child's environment. Children learn more if they are allowed to select
the activities on their own.
Promoting Science skills starts from home :
| 1. |
Floating
objects : Provide your little one with different objects to place in the tub, for e.g.
paper, woodblocks, soaps and let him judge for himself, which one sinks in the water and
which one floats. He will learn by observing. |
| 2. |
Mixing Colour :
Bring along some water colour for your child and let him mix two different colours and
observe the changing colours. Older kids may want to choose one colour and make a
graduated series of shades from light to dark. |
| 3. |
Games : Through
games like treasure hunt, etc. your child will learn to find things around the house. |
| 4. |
Magnets :
Purchase two simple magnets from a shop and place different kinds of objects like kitchen
utensils, stones, jewellery, etc. on a tray. Let your child observe which objects attract
the magnet and explain to them what happens when the two magnets come near each other. |
| 5. |
Fun with papers
: Provide your child with several sheets of paper and help him out in designing paper
airplanes or paper boat. Allow him to release the boat in the water and let him watch the
paper boat floating on the water. Try answering all his questions as to how the paper
never sank in the water. The more you'll answer, the more he'll ask. If you ignore the
question, your child will lose interest in learning. |
| 6. |
Melting point :
Place some ice cubes in a plate and let your child measure the time taken for the ice to
melt. Also try to create different shapes of ice by pouring water into different moulds. |
| 7. |
Dissolving
procedure : Place some dry substance from the kitchen in the plate, ask your child to
dissolve different substances one by one in the water. Let him observe the difference of
which dissolves easily for e.g. Baking soda or sugar. |
| 8. |
Observing stars
: In the night, let your child observe the different stars. Ask your child if he can see
his own pictures among different groups of stars. |
| 9. |
Collecting
stones : With your child, take a nature walk and collect some interesting stones and
investigate the properties of the rocks. Teach your child to examine the colour, shape and
other distinguishing characteristics. |
| 10. |
Museums : Take
your child to the museum, which offers special science classes. These enable children to
see movies on subjects like space launches on the giant screen. |
| 11. |
Planetariums :
For youngsters, there are wonderful exhibits and activities in the planetariums. |
These are the few fun activities to promote science skills.
While youngsters cannot possibly learn everything about science, they do need and will
want to learn many facts. But the best way to help them learn to think scientifically is
to introduce them to just a few topics in depth.
Role Of Parents In Promoting Science Skills
Children ask a number of questions to their parents and hence as parents, we must prepare
our children for a world vastly different from the one in which we grew up. Without our
help, our children will not be prepared for any of the environmental changes. To help our
children learn Science, we do not need a strong background in Science. Having a positive
attitude about Science is very important. Children need to start learning early at home,
as scientific knowledge is cumulative. Children in elementary school are taught very
little Science.
Parents and children can together learn to observe objects carefully for scientific
explanation. Children should be encouraged to ask questions. It is all right if we can't
answer all of our child's questions. Children generally don't require detailed answers.
Encourage your child to share his ideas and listen to their explanations. By listening to
them, they can gain confidence.
Schools : In developing the
child's scientific spirit, schools can only do part of the job. In developing the child's
interest in science, parents need to recognize their own important role. Kids look often
to parents for signs that the world is an interesting place which is worth studying.
Science does not have to be boring. Parents and children both can discover the excitement
that comes from exploring the world with a scientific attitude. The more the parents are
interested in nature and the objects of the world, the more likely their children will be
curious.
Encourage To Ask Questions : Raising questions is the
business of science. The best experiments raise more questions, even if you find answers.
Good questions are generally open-ended and allow for a variety of responses. It has been
seen that kids often need time after being asked a question in order to properly think
about their reply. After asking a question, wait at least for three to four seconds,
before saying anything else. To the answers your child provides, listen in a non
judge-mental way. As your child explores science, encourage your child to make his own
questions.
Visiting People : In order to explore science with your
child, you can get unlimited number of opportunities. Books on science could be provided
to your child from the library. Introduce your child to your friends who use scientific
methods in their work such as engineering, physicists, etc. The more your child can
witness people using the skills of science, the more relevant, science will become in his
own life.
How To Tell Whether Your Child Needs Extra Help With Science
Encourage our children to ask questions and also listen to
their explanations. Being listened to will increase their confidence and develop their
interest in science. Listening helps us to determine just what children know and what they
need to know. Providing an environment at home that promotes curiosity of the world is one
of the ways to encourage your child to study science. From the start of school, it is
necessary to provide science programs that enhance the child's curiosity about the world.
Children need to be exposed to a hands-on approach to science rather than to study science
from a distance.
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