As parents, we are in a position to make the learning process of Science more engaging than it might otherwise be. The good news is that kids are naturally curious, and they respond well to a playful learning environment. They want to know how things work and why they happen the way they do. But if a subject isn't interesting, children can quickly lose interest and become distracted by something else. The following four suggestions will nudge them in the right direction and make learning about Science more meaningful and involving.
Start early
One of the best ways to do this is to introduce them to Science as early as possible. This is especially important when you consider that kids actually start understanding simple concepts and grasping basic ideas at a very young age. The earlier you start, the easier it will be for your kids to pick up scientific principles later on. And by starting early, you'll also be exposing your kids to the basics of Science at a time when they're most receptive to learning. Start with everyday objects around you - childhood is a time for exploration, so take advantage of this by letting your kids play with anything they come across that makes them curious about how it works.
Stir their curiosity
Contrary to what you may have done in school, you don't have to rely on textbooks or lectures to get your child interested in science. You can actually get them interested in Science by taking them out to see it firsthand. Planetariums, museums and zoos are all great opportunities for this. For younger children in particular, activities that feature animals, nature and other scientific elements can really help them develop a curiosity to understand the world around them. If you have a pet, let your child observe it and ask questions about it. Helping your child develop their own curiosity about Science is one of the best ways of helping them become lifelong learners and thinkers.
Show them how Science applies to real life
Science textbooks, images of real-life experiments, and teachers explaining their lessons can only do so much - we need to teach our children how the subject is actually relevant to their lives. Introduce your child to the world of science by involving them in activities related to science, for example you can let them create things or conduct experiments at home so they can have a more hands-on experience. The more tangible science is for them, the more they will naturally begin to ask questions and think critically about everything around them
Build on your child’s interests
There are plenty of fun ways to make learning about Science fun for children. The key is to find the right ways to do it. For example, if your child loves dinosaurs, you can use the subject to show them how paleontologists discovered fossils or explain the evolution of life on earth. Or maybe they love the ocean - take them to the beach or the aquarium so they can learn more about marine biology. This will help them see that science is about discovering things about the world around us, rather than just memorizing facts. And if you're able to relate what you're teaching with something they love, they're more likely to pay attention, which means they'll learn more!
Conclusion
Science doesn’t have to be about just sitting in a classroom listening to a lecture - there's a lot of hands-on science out there waiting to be discovered, played with and explored. Here at Heuristics Science, we aim to nurture inquisitive minds, giving kids a passion for science while they are still young.
We conduct yearly holiday workshops and primary science workshops that help young ones ask questions, engage with the world around them, and enrich their learning. And if you’re looking for something more structured like a science tuition centre, sign up for one of our science tuition classes in Singapore! Our classes aim to bridge the gap between education and real life by giving students a strong foundation in scientific concepts that will come in handy later in life.