How Can I Help My Child Become
More Interested in Science?
David L. Haury and Linda A. Milbourne
Success in science involves being curious, asking questions, and learning how to find the
answers. Children are naturally curious, but they need help in understanding how to make sense
of what they observe or experience. Unfortunately, many parents consider themselves unqualified
to provide this kind of help simply because they don't have a degree in science.
As a parent, all you need is a willingness to observe and learn with your child and, above all, a
willingness to commit the necessary time and energy to nurture your child's natural curiosity.
Your level of involvement in your child's education is strongly related to his or her success in
school.)
Set the Example
| Science Activities for Kids
The Big Picture
Looking at objects closely is an important part of science, and a magnifying glass lets you see
things you don't even know are there. It also helps you see how objects are similar to or different
from each other.
What you'll need:
A magnifying glass and your science journal
What to do:
- Use your magnifying glass to see:
- What's hidden in soil or under leaves
- What's on both sides of leaves
- How mosquitoes bite
- Different patterns of snowflakes
- Butterfly wings
- How many different objects you can find in the soil
- Draw pictures, or describe what you see, in your notebook.
For example, if you examine a mosquito, you will probably see how it bites something--with its
proboscis, a long hollow tube that sticks out of its head.
For more science activities appropriate for children in grades K through 8, see
the guide Helping Your Child Learn Science at
http://www.ed.gov/pubs/parents/Science.
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One of the most important ways you can help your child develop an interest in science is by
exhibiting attitudes and values supportive of learning. Focus on developing your child's
"scientific" skills (observing, classifying, predicting, and quantifying). Observation is an
important first step toward scientific explanation, so help your child observe objects carefully.
Encourage your child to ask questions and seek answers. No one knows all the answers, but
children can learn to propose answers and test them. Also, ask your child open-ended questions--those that require more than a "yes" or "no" answer--that require close attention and stimulate
imagination as you explore the neighborhood, grocery store, local park, or fire station. For
instance, you could ask, "What shapes do you see in that spider web?" to draw your child's
attention to small details.
Listen to children's ideas and explanations. Your attention gives them confidence, and
expressing their ideas helps them figure out what they know and don't know (for more
suggestions for strengthening your child's skills and concepts, see Doing Science With Your
Children at http://www.ericse.org/digests/dse94-1.html).
What you say to your child is also important. For instance, if you say, "I never liked science in
school," or, "I got my worst grades in science," you reinforce the idea that science classes are
boring or difficult, or worse, that poor performance in science is acceptable. However, if you say,
"I wish I could do that experiment with you," or, "I'm so glad that you are having opportunities
that I missed," you will open doors for your child.
Help Children See the Science Around Them
Help children recognize the science of daily life, and engage them in games and activities that
foster familiarity with science concepts and scientific thinking. Here are a few suggestions:
- Encourage your
child to take things apart. Old toys, clocks, and household appliances
provide great lessons--and don't worry about putting them back together! Don't forget about
safety. Supervise young children as needed. Remember, too, that girls are as curious about
science as boys are. Buy your daughter a tool kit, and remember that science is often "messy."
Recognize the difference between the clutter that comes from enthusiastic activity and the sloppy
piles that result from neglect.
- Talk about school science
with your child. Find ways to discuss and extend school
science lessons in the home and other familiar places. You can also find science activities for
children in grades K through 8 on the Internet or in library books and magazines. Many of these
activities make use of community resources or common materials found around the home (for
example, see the box "Science Activities for Kids" to the right).
- Discuss science and
technology careers. When you encounter people in science-related
careers, encourage your child to ask questions about their jobs and the education needed for
them.
- Take a family field trip to
an informal education site. Science centers, museums, and zoos
give children the chance to make independent discoveries and to participate in scientific
processes while having fun. You could also help coordinate a science-related field trip for your
child's class or bring to your child's classroom guest speakers who could describe how science is
related to their jobs (for more hints on helping your child explore science, see the National
Science Teachers Association Web site at http://www.nsta.org/parents).
| Common Myths About Science
- Myth #1: Science is difficult.
Really, science is more than facts and figures--it's a way of
seeing the world and solving problems.
- Myth #2: You need to know a lot about science to teach it to your children.
Not true! Saying, "I don't know; let's find out together," is actually better than giving answers.
- Myth #3: Science requires equipment.
Actually, science is everywhere, and the best way to begin
learning is by asking your child open-ended questions and
listening to his or her response.
- Myth #4: Science skills should wait for
reading skills.
The developmental skills of preschool children are
actually more suited to doing science than reading. Learning
about science also can motivate children to read.
For more information on helping your child explore science, see
the National Science Teachers Association Web site at
http://www.nsta.org/parents.
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| David L. Haury is Director of the ERIC Clearinghouse for Science, Mathematics, and
Environmental Education and Associate Professor of Mathematics, Science, and Technology
Education at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio.
Linda A. Milbourne is Associate Director of the ERIC Clearinghouse for Science, Mathematics,
and Environmental Education at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. She is also the
AskERIC Coordinator for the clearinghouse. |
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 How Can I Help My Child Become More Interested in Math?
This page was updated on Fri Nov 2 19:14:44 GMT 2001
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