How You Can Help Your Child Learn Science

As a parent, you are preparing your child for a world vastly different from the one in  which you grew up. Our increasingly technological society will need citizens who have  received far more advanced instruction in science and technology than most of us  received when we were in school. Even children who don't want to become physicists,  chemists, engineers or computer technicians will need some knowledge of science and  technology just to conduct their everyday lives. Every citizen needs to be scientifically  literate in order to make informed decisions about health, safety and citizenship. Our  children need our help and guidance to prepare for the world that awaits them. 

Curiosity is natural to children, but they need help understanding how to make sense of  what they see and to relate their observations to their existing ideas and understandings.  This is why parental involvement is so important in children's science education. When  we encourage children to ask questions, make predictions, offer explanations and explore  in a safe environment, we lend them the kind of support that they need to become  successful science students and scientific thinkers. 

As a parent, you don't have to be a scientist or have a college degree to help your child  learn science. What's far more important than being able to give a technical explanation  of how a telescope works is your willingness to nurture your child's natural curiosity by  taking the time to observe and learn  together. 

Science "happens" all around us every day, and you have endless opportunities to invite  your child into the wonders of science. Without expensive chemistry sets, equipment or  kits, a child can be introduced easily to the natural world and encouraged to observe what  goes on in that world. When you least expect it, a moment for learning will occur: A bit  of ice cream drops on the sidewalk and ants appear; some cups float and some sink when  you're washing dishes; static electricity makes your hair stand on end when you put on a  sweater. 

Scientific knowledge is cumulative: To learn new things, you must build on what you  already know. So, it's important that your child start learning early—and at home. A good  way for you to begin the learning process is by sharing your own interest in science. How  you view and talk about science can influence your child's attitudes toward science—and  how she (or he) approaches learning science. It's easy to undermine a child's interest and  attitudes by saying things such as, "I was lousy in science, and I've done OK," or "I  always hated science when I was in school. It's boring." Although you can't make your  child like science, you can encourage her to do so, and you can help her to appreciate its  value both in her everyday life and in preparing for her future.

In everyday interactions with your child, you can do many things—and do them without  lecturing or applying pressure—to help her learn science. Here are a few ideas: