Science is taught as one of the most important subjects at schools. And while it obviously teaches children a lot of vital facts about the wider world, it is also beneficial for developing children’s scientific reasoning and inquiry skills. Science is also something that can be taught in a very tactile manner, which means it can be taught in many diverse ways. Here are just a few ways you can engage your child in science.
Expose Your Child to Nature
Taking your child to a park or other natural space can be a great way of sparking their curiosity, as well as a healthy form of exercise. In addition, encouraging your child to identify wildlife or plant life can help them start thinking independently about natural science. Many national parks also have educational installations. However, it is also important to expose your child to many different learning environments, so as to maintain their interest.
Show Documentaries
Another way of presenting your child with information to get them excited about science is to show them different forms of science documentaries. These can vary from technical, purely educational videos on scientific concepts to more general nature and wildlife documentaries. Experiment with a variety and find out which subjects your child is most responsive to. These could also pose the basis for future exploration. You might also want to discuss with your child what they have been focusing on at school recently, to tailor what you show them to that.
Try Some At-Home Experiments
One of the most direct and fun ways of teaching science to your child is to conduct experiments with them. Today, there are a variety of science education kits for home use available to purchase. Like with documentaries, you might want to incorporate some of your child’s own interests or whatever they might be learning at school. Finally, demonstrating an active interest in science alongside your child is likely to encourage them and help them develop a positive relationship with learning.
Incorporate Games
Like with teaching anything, it is important that you mix up the activities used when you are trying to stoke your child’s interest in science. Games, for example, can be a fun way for your kids to expend some energy and recall past knowledge they have been taught. If you are looking for inspiration, there are countless websites offering ideas for educational games and activities on all subjects.
In addition, there are a variety of online and app games available that purport to be beneficial for learning, though some are more educational than others. Check out reviews prior to determining whether they’d be useful to your child.
Engage Them in Discussion
Finally, an important part of engaging your child with their learning as a whole is maintaining an open dialogue with them. It is important that your child knows you are interested and aware that they can have their opinions heard. This will give you a better picture of their progress and prevent them from becoming disengaged.
