Fostering Your Child’s Inner Scientist…

Children are natural scientists. They have a curious

mind, love to explore, and ask a lot of questions.

Help your child develop the skills needed to think like

a scientist, which will allow him or her to understand

increasingly complex science concepts.

Here are some ways to do that:

-Model your own curiosity. Wonder out loud by saying things like, "I

wonder what would happen if .. ." or "I am curious about .... "

-Listen carefully to what your child is saying and encourage your child

to explain why he or she thinks a certain way by asking questions such

as, "Why do you think the slug is eating that leaf?" "What other animals eat

leaves?"

-Don't immediately correct your child if he or she says something that is

scientifically incorrect. For example, if your child says, "Only birds can fly,"

you can ask, "What does a bird have that helps it fly?" Then ask, "What other

animals or things have wings?"

Guide your child to name some animals and objects with wings, such

as "bees and airplanes." Then ask, "Can they fly?"

-Encourage your child to make observations and then to record those

observations, by writing, drawing a picture, taking a photograph, or

making an audio or video recording. They can even act out what they saw

happen. You can even give your child a special notebook for

recording these observations and ask him or her to tell you about them.

-Engage your child in simple investigations, such as rolling different

balls down a ramp to see which one goes farthest. Before you begin an

investigation, encourage your child to predict what will happen. Afterward,

talk about the results.

-Encourage your child to compare and contrast different things they see

in the world around them, for example, "How are these two trees the

same, and how are they different?"