Great Ways to Get Your Kids Excited About Science
Author: Alyssa Craig
Science is an important subject introduced early on in the education process, but not all children take to it well. If your child is one who is struggling to find a love for science, try some of these great ways to create a spark.
1. Show them relevance and application.
Especially older children may question the need to invest in scientific subjects because they cannot see the purpose for doing the work to gain the knowledge. Take some time to show your child not only how science can be applied in a myriad of occupations, but how the acquired skills listed below can be useful in everyday life
observing patterns and natural consequences
drawing conclusions based on evidence
asking questions and figuring out how to get the best answers
inventing new solutions for life’s problems
analyzing collected data
performing experiments
using numbers and measurements
evaluating processes
solving problems
You can also make connections to other activities they already love. For example, you may connect a love of basketball with physics and explain how angles can be used to make more accurate baskets.
2. Introduce many branches of science.
If your child claims to “hate science” it is possible they have not been introduced to a branch of science that interests them. While some children might enjoy chemistry or biology, others may enjoy learning all about insects or mammals, sea creatures, outer space, or even the weather.
3. Find fun science books.
On your next trip to the library, get some age appropriate science books for your kids to read and explore over the next week. This can also give them a chance to explore many different subjects and as they discover a topic they enjoy, they can continue checking out books to learn even more on the subject.
4. Encourage curiosity.
Children are naturally curious about the world around them, so as they start to ask “why” over and over, rather than brushing them aside, help them learn the answers to their questions. Encourage them to ask and then explore for answers, as suggested in this helpful article.
5. Utilize school activities.
If your child’s school has extracurricular activities, like science club, or will be hosting a science fair, encourage your child to participate. There are often faculty advisers associated with these activities, so your child’s teacher should be able to give them information on how best to get involved.
6. Watch educational shows.
Think back to your childhood and the shows that sparked your interest in science. You may have thought of Ms. Frizzle or perhaps Bill Nye. Whether you resort to these older shows or you find more recent ones, let your kids watch an educational show designed to not only teach them science in a fun way, but perhaps get their curiosity piqued as well.
7. Purchase science kits.
There are many science kits available that you can find in toy stores or online that may help your child get excited about learning science. Whether they get a microscope to examine the blades of grass from the backyard or a magnifying glass to get a better look at an insect, these science based toys can be helpful in getting kids excited about science as they explore their world.
8. Enjoy at home experiments.
Simple experiments such as Mentos in a soda bottle (explosion!) or the static electricity caused by rubbing a balloon on your child’s head are fun ways to allow your children to get hands on experience. Once they see science in action, they will likely have questions and this will be a great time to encourage them to find out what causes the reactions they are seeing.
9. Utilize technology.
The use of technology allows us to give our children access to many types of science we did not have growing up. Especially once they have shown interest in a science, look up apps can be downloaded to help them increase their knowledge. For example, if they show an interest in space, download an app that shows them the constellations located right above them and teaches them about black holes and comets.
With all its many categories, science provides an opportunity for just about any child to find something they can be interested in. Find ways to create excitement about science and help making learning fun! They may even discover a passion, hobby, or future occupation they will carry with them for the rest of their lives.
Disclosure: This is a guest post meaning I am not the author of this article nor have I been compensated for posting it.
