Top 10 ways to help support your child to learn science

Today's post shares our Top 10 Ways to Help Support your Child to Learn Science and as a bonus at the end of the post- Top 10 great science toys for kids under $100:

1. Questions: lots questions

Your child while learning about science will have many questions, answer these questions the best you can but also respond in a way to encourage scientific thinking. Responses such as ‘why do you think..?’, ‘what do you think will happen if…?’- This encourages your child to share their perspective and observations.

2. Explore to discover the answers

When doing an experiments or discovering science in the backyard, it’s important to allow your child to explore to find the answers on their own- just as in number one- answer any questions with answers that encourage perspective and observation.

3. Step back and watch your child learn

It’s important to let your child do experiments on their own, of course if a step requires an adult, step in but in between- step back and observe. Science is all about trial and error- it’s not about getting it right first time. So let your child explore, discover and learn on their own unless you’re needed.

4. Let them get messy

Let’s be real, the most fun kids have is when they can get grubby- allow the mess; let them have fun exploring and learning. When you set up an experiment remember to set up in a area easy to clean and have your kids in old clothes just as you would when doing art.

5. Making mistakes the only way to learn

If your child’s experiment does work, help your child find out why but in a way that they discover it on their own. Check their steps even if you know the answer- let them work it out. This is the perfect time to investigate with your child to discover what went wrong and how to solve the problem.

6. Invite curiosity from a young age

My favourite experiment to do with my younger children is the ‘will it float or sink’ experiment– this invites curiosity and learning. Try this at home next bath time

7. Support your child to do more

Help your child expand on their knowledge after the experiment is complete by asking questions throughout the day that expand on what your child had learnt.

8. Keeping records

As we all did at school, we had to keep records of our observations- have your child do age appropriate write ups of the experiment. This can be pictures, taking photos, written reports- this is a very important skill to learn early on, Have them record what they saw, heard, questioned and discovered.

9. Electronic Devices- apps, iBooks, websites

Take advantage of your handheld devices by finding free to use science experiments for kids, have a look in the app store and iBooks to discover free science resources. Answers are at your finger tips- if your child sees a butterfly in the garden and asks about it- google and show your child

10. Use what you already have

Science at home doesn’t need to be expensive; many experiments can be done with already at home items.