How You Can Help Your Child Learn Science

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: 

• See how long it takes for a dandelion or a rose to burst into full bloom.  
• Watch the moon as it appears to change shape over the course of a month and  record the changes. 
• Look for constellations in the night sky.  
• Bake a cake.  
• Solve the problem of a drooping plant.  
• Figure out how the spin cycle of the washing machine gets the water out of the  clothes. 
• Take apart an old clock or mechanical toy—you don't need to put it back  together!  
• Observe pigeons, squirrels, butterflies, ants or spider webs.  
• Go for a walk and talk about how the dogs (or birds or cats) that you see are alike  and different.  

Learning to observe carefully is an important step leading to scientific explanations.  Experiencing the world with your child and exchanging information with him about what  you see are important, too. 

Finally, encourage your child to ask questions. If you can't answer all of her questions,  that's all right—no one has all the answers, not even scientists. For example, point out  that there's no known cure for a cold, but that we do know how diseases are passed from  person to person—through germs. Some of the best answers you can give are, "What do  you think?" and "Let's find out together." Together, you and your child can propose  possible answers, test them out and check them by using reference books, the Internet, or  by asking someone who is likely to know the correct answers. 

Science is everywhere.  From your kitchen to the local park to the river banks across the  country, you and your child can talk about science in everyday experiences.