Children begin to ask the question “Why” incessantly at some point. This is the beginning of Scientific thinking. Why do we see rainbows in the skies? What is the purpose of lightning? Why is the beach water so salty? Every scientist starts with a question. What will the chemical do to cancer cells? What is the attraction of lightning to a rod? What can we do to make our vehicles more fuel-efficient?
This type of thinking is the first step to helping a child learn Science. It’s wonderful for your child that they question the natural world. You can all find the answers together. Even the most feared question, “Where did babies come from?” There is scientific potential for learning. You can use the internet, books, and your home to find out why things work as they do. My children and I built a mini-canyon from a baking pan, dirt, and water before we went to the Grand Canyon. Encourage your child to question the world around them and create a hypothesis. Ask your child to explain why the cake rises in the oven. Then, go over the science (a great lesson on chemical reactions).
Your child should have a solid understanding of the basics. If your child has ever been to the beaches, they will be able to learn more about ocean life, beach erosion, and rock formations, as well as tides. Make observations about shells and collect them. What are their similarities and differences? Go on a hike and collect the leaves. What are the various parts of the leaf? What is the role of the stem? Why are some leaves fuzzy and not others?
Children who have never seen snow might not be able to relate to solids (snow), liquids (water), or gas (water vapor). Cooking can be used to demonstrate things such as steam, yeast rising, and physical changes (cutting vegetables), among other concepts. Fathers can also help their children with housework. What is a plane? A screw, lever, lever, pulley, and other simple machines? Science is easier for children who have had different experiences.
As science facts are subject to change (remember when Pluto used to be a planet?), the scientific method approach should be applied to home tasks. But critical thinking is not. Scientific thinking involves asking questions, formulating a hypothesis, testing it, collecting data, and coming up with a conclusion. It could be as straightforward as “I wonder if I might be able to fix the flat swimming tube toys by filling it with chewing gum.”
It won’t last long, so take a chance. Place the gum in the hole and place it back in the pool. It took only ten minutes for the gum to wet the toy and then fall off. You will conclude that gum is not a good pool sealant. You should also remove the gum from the bottom. Children should understand that mistakes are okay when testing their ideas. Great scientists learn from their mistakes. One story is that of the scientist who believed he was a failure after failing to develop a parachute material suitable for the Army in World War II. We still use his invention today, because he accidentally invented nylons (pantyhose)! Other scientific flops were Coca-cola (originally meant to be medicine), Post-it Notes, which were originally supposed to be a super-strong glue, Tollhouse cookies (the inventor tried making all-chocolate cookies and ended up creating delicious chocolate CHIP cookies), as well as paper towels (originally intended to be used for toilet tissue).
Science education is about asking questions and finding the answers. This, along with many other life experiences, will give your child an advantage in Science.
It is easy to see the problem. Your child is at school and has begun to study science. Your child may be struggling because the book and the instructor don’t communicate well. Even the most talented students can experience this.
A key to a successful career in basic science. This can be used in many areas of work that don’t require a doctorate in science, such as medicine. The science curriculum is not being met by our schools. It is difficult to maintain a competent science teaching staff in these challenging times. Most texts are obsolete within a few years of being printed due to rapid changes in science.
All qualifying examinations for college admission, government, and private-sector job application, and military placement tests, require basic science achievement. Science is an essential part of education.
How can you help your child?
My son was a great student, but he got lost in science class. It was impossible to complete a science project on my own. We found help when we went to the library to look for books on “Home Science Projects”. These projects are easy, quick, and simple. We would do as many as possible together during the school year. I was his assistant. He was eager to answer my questions.
These projects cover many aspects of science. There is sure to be a project that suits your child’s needs. You can easily find all the necessary items at your local hardware store or home. Similar introductory projects can be found online today with the added benefit that many websites offer videos of the working experiment. Parents will find explanations for what’s happening and why very useful in these home projects.
These projects give you a fundamental understanding of how science works and what it takes to learn. The project shows science as an observation process with results that are recorded and analyzed. Even projects that fail to go as planned can still yield real results.
As your child learns science concepts, you can help them to understand the basics. Your child will begin to think like a scientist. Science becomes a much easier subject. Your child will be more enthusiastic and confident as a science student.
Although my son wasn’t interested in science, his high school grades and scores on the scholastic achievement test earned him admission to a top-tier state university. The kid also received a scholarship.
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