| Early exposure to science is critical because | | | | Identify your child's interests and encourage them. |
| science knowledge is cumulative. Learning science | | | | If a child develops an interest in rocks, study |
| requires a solid foundation of knowledge that can | | | | rocks, gems, mining and fossils and build on that |
| be built upon through further study and | | | | curiosity moving on to fossil fuels, heat generation |
| exploration. Children should be introduced to | | | | and environmental effects. You will find that one |
| science at home as early as possible. Don't make | | | | inquiry leads to another. |
| the mistake of thinking that your child learns all | | | | Fuel their natural curiosity. These activities should |
| the science they need to know at school. The | | | | be challenging without being frustrating. Don't |
| truth is science education in school is limited and | | | | force them to do things they are not interested |
| the subject is not usually a high priority for | | | | in; rather, engage them in motivating activities |
| educators. As parents, it is important that we | | | | that build desire for further exploration. Share |
| share our knowledge with our children. Every day | | | | your own science related interests and you will be |
| activities such as growing plants, cooking and | | | | amazed by the impact of genuine enthusiasm. |
| caring for animals involve science. Take a look | | | | Remember that discussion is a key component to |
| around and you will see that science is | | | | developing scientific knowledge and uncovering |
| everywhere. Parents can choose to engage in | | | | additional areas of interest. Encourage your child |
| scientific activities with their children when they | | | | to talk about their experiences, observations and |
| are not in school to build scientific comprehension, | | | | interests. This discussion will help children to |
| encourage scientific exploration and foster a love | | | | construct thoughts, to form concepts and to |
| for science and the pursuit of knowledge. | | | | examine different relationships that are |
| There are aspects of science that are intellectually | | | | intermingled in their ideas. |
| demanding, but often simple experiences produce | | | | Some simple activities that foster knowledge of |
| insightful learning. To engage your children in | | | | and interest in science include: "Finding out |
| science you need to introduce them to stimulating | | | | how and why things work", "Sharing |
| environments that provide opportunities for | | | | ideas and knowledge", "Making |
| observing and discussing science. Zoos, nature | | | | observations and writing or drawing those |
| centers, oceans, parks, yards and even kitchens | | | | observations down", "Making |
| are perfect educational environments. Children | | | | predictions and seeking answers", |
| naturally learn through playful exploration. | | | | "Starting collections -such as rocks or bugs- |
| Educational DVDs, and toys provoke thought and | | | | and observing similarities and differences", |
| develop skills. When children ask questions to | | | | "Figuring out what causes things to |
| satisfy their natural curiosity, it is an open | | | | change", "Having science parties with |
| opportunity to be seized by the parent. | | | | family and friends", "Enrolling your child |
| For instance, if a child is fascinated by a light | | | | in classes or extra-curricular activities involving |
| switch and wants to know how it turns the light | | | | science". |
| on and off, inquire into the subject with your child. | | | | Your home, your environment and your |
| Find out why and how the switch works. Why | | | | surroundings are filled with opportunities to share |
| does yeast make bread rise? How does a spider | | | | science with your children. Through engaging their |
| spin a web? Why do leaves fall? Why do the birds | | | | interests and encouraging their search for |
| disappear in the winter? | | | | knowledge, you can ensure success in science! |