Today we will be talking about how science is used in our everyday lives and how we can teach it in a intentional way to our children. As well as share a couple of different science experiments you can do at home while we are all social distancing because of COVID-19.
We experience science everyday, no matter how young or old we are. When you flip a light switch it turns on, right? well that's because science has occurred. When it rains it's not magical water that falls from the sky. The water that falls from the sky has gone through a water cycle which is shown through science.
So, how can we teach children about scientific things in a intentional way? We can do this by letting them be kids. Let them learn through cause and effect and let them try to solve their own problems as long as it doesn't put them in harms way. When they ask questions answer them with a question. If they ask you, why a rock doesn't float? Ask them, why do you think a rock doesn't float? Then give them an opportunity to experiment and try to figure out why certain objects float and others don't. If they need to, converse about it. By doing this you are helping guide them through the scientific process and allowing them to come up with their own ideas and predictions.
So if you were to go through the scientific process with a child(ren) it would look like this:
-Observe and ask questions: The children most of the time will observe and ask the questions....lots of questions and you would then reiterate what they said and ask them questions in return.
-Imagine and plan: Help them imagine and plan by asking them questions and giving them the tools necessary to find out the answers to their questions.
-Experiment with it: Put their plan into action and experiment with it. Ask lots of questions while they experiment.
(If it didn't work restart again and see what will work till you succeed.)
-Draw a conclusion and share it: If it works, amazing! Now converse about the conclusion you came to and go share it with others.
Science Experiments
Milk Art
Milk
A plate
Food coloring
Dish soup
Q-tip or toothpick
Ice Fishing
A plat
Ice
Salt
String
Water
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