Science for Kids - Keeping Them Interested
Are your children naturally curious? Do they wonder how
things work? Do they marvel at the stars and moon? Are they
the hands-on type that are always taking things apart and
putting them back together?
 
To some parents, such habits may seem annoying, but kids
who show a keen interest in acquiring scientific knowledge
early in life eventually become intelligent, inquisitive
teens and adults who don't take a simple "yes" or "no" for
an answer. Their curious minds will take them far!
 
Science for kids can be wonderfully fascinating! What child
doesn't love performing experiments or building models
during science class or for the school science fair?
Parents should remember, however, that science doesn't have
to be limited to the school classroom, and that at-home
science activities can go a long way in keeping a child
interested in the world around him. Truth is, kids can
enjoy science just about anywhere, as long as parents are
eager to guide.
 
Science at Home
 
The National Science Foundation says that parents are their
kid's first science teachers. They also point out that you
don't need to be an expert in the subject because science
for kids is everywhere, including inside your home and out
in your backyard. You need only point out the wonders of
everyday science to your kids to keep them interested.
 
Remember, science is all about observing, exploring, and
testing, and even the youngest children can be involved in
these three tasks. Here are a few examples of everyday
science-related activities you can enjoy with your child.
 
- Go for a walk and take along a magnifying glass. Stop to
pick up some interesting natural objects along the way such
as flowers, a few blades of grass, rocks or stones, and
even insects. Look at them with the magnifying glass and
allow your child to tell you what they see. This teaches
them to be good observers. If you find an object or
creature that really intrigues your child, look it up on
the internet or in a book when you return home and gather
more information. Or better yet, look at the object under a
microscope.
 
- Let your child help you cook. All sorts of wonderful
scientific processes happen at the stove! Talk about
boiling water, melting butter, caramelization, or how
mixtures change when they are baked. These things may be
commonplace to you, but to a child, they're fascinating!
 
- Track the phases of the moon. Look for the constellations
that appear during various seasons. Viewing the sky is an
easy way to introduce the study of astronomy. A simple,
inexpensive telescope further enhances this type of science
for kids.
 
- Does your child have a favorite sport or activity? If
it's baseball, talk about pitching and speed. If it's
cycling, skateboarding, or roller blading, explore how the
wheels on their vehicle turn. If it's football, find out
why the ball is shaped that way. How about dancing? Dancers
can learn about why stretching is important before dancing
and about keeping their body conditioned. The possibilities
are endless!
 
- Build something! Science for kids should involve
creativity. Consider making silly putty or play dough,
build a periscope, construct a model of the solar system.
 
You don't need to wait until the annual school science fair
to have fun with science. Just a few spare minutes can keep
your child interested for a lifetime.
 
 
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Bonnie Foshee, Parenting Expert. If you are not yet
receiving my free powerful parenting tips, you are missing
out.
 
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