Seven Ways to Make Science Fun for Children
NewsUSA
(NUI) - Do you want to help your children get excited about science?
When it comes to science education, parents can make a difference by getting involved in their child's schoolwork and expanding on what children are learning in the classroom with fun and engaging activities.
According to former Secretary of Education William J. Bennett, "Nurturing your child's curiosity is the first, all-important step." Exposing children to the compelling aspects of science will naturally foster their curiosity.
Parents can make science fun for their kids in these ways:
* Use science as a way to start a conversation. A question such as "How do we use science in our everyday activities?" can inspire a lively dialogue with your child. Start by discussing the things you do every day with your children, such as cooking, playing sports and riding in a car.
* Make a pattern of observing science in your own life. Keep a notebook in the car or backpack for recording interesting findings. Or spend some time with your kids observing nature. Then, have them design
something for their bedroom wall.
* Engage your children in science-related activities. Take them on a trip to the zoo, aquarium, planetarium or conservatory.
* Encourage your kids to take up a science-related hobby. Collecting bugs, growing plants and building models are fun activities that will pique their curiosity.
* Look for surprises - things that break the rules. Conduct experiments to uncover new findings. Discover why a feather floats even though it is heavier than air, or fill a basin with water and learn what floats and what sinks.
* Keep things light. Put less emphasis on "true facts" and more on the scientific process of looking around, posing questions and looking around some more.
* Put a positive spin on science. Movies like "Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius" (available on video after July 2) is yet another way for kids - boy and girl geniuses alike - to see just how cool science can be.
As children watch Jimmy Neutron pilot his own rocket ship, launch a satellite and use various carnival rides to journey across a field of stars, they will find plenty to pique their interest.
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Last modified: 10/27/03
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