Introduction to Science for Kids

Welcome to the Science for Kids Blog. In each blog post we will discover the importance of Science by exploring science projects for children. It is designed to give ideas to parents, teachers, caregivers and children.

Who Wants A Hug? by Cayusa on flickr

Science is an attempt to explain and gain knowledge on who things work. When it comes to children, free exploration is the best form of science. You may not know this, but this can be done in a child's everyday environment. For example, when a child is playing outside and exploring the outdoors, the are gaining a science experience. 


Curious Kid by Mads Boedker on fickr

Often times learning is thought of as boring. We sometimes think studying is suppose to be tedious. In reality, engaging in hands on activities is a great way to learn. This is especially true when it comes to children. When it comes to science, the hands on approach might work best for children. Things we might think nothing of, are examples of science and exploration. Some my cringe at the idea, playing in dirt is a science and sensory activity. This is also true for sand. By playing in dirt or sand a child is exploring its properties. They are exploring how the dirt feels, what its texture is and how it reacts: does it fall through the cracks of my fingers? what does it do when I add water? They are studying how it looks: what color it is, what shape it is, etc. This is a branch of science called soil science.

Photo by Lotus Carroll on flickr

Some questions you could ask to get your child more engaged include:
*What color is the dirt? (observation) *How much can you hold in your hand? *What does it feel like on your skin? *What do you think will happen if you add water? (prediction) *What happened when you added water? Observation and predictions are two key elements of science. When we ask children these type of questions, we are provoking them to think like scientists. 

Exploring dirt is just one very small piece of science exploration for children. There are many objects you can give your child access to that might help in scientific exploration. Some of these objects include magnets, magnifying glasses, rubber bands, mirrors, leaves, plants flowers and flashlights. Even in everyday activities and situations, there are endless opportunities for scientific interactions. So next time you go out to play with your child or even while observing things around your home, you should ask yourself this question: "How will this be a scientific experience for my little scientist :)

In this blog 'Science for Kids' we will explore the various branches of science. We will also share ideas on different projects and activities to get your child engaged in science. These projects will be great for school science projects and even independent exploration. We will also explore many ways to link learning and play.