Parents should take advantage of this innate curiosity and channel their enthusiasm towards science so that the little ones can come into contact with the scientific world as soon as possible.
In fact, did you know that the interests that children develop at an early age will largely determine the interests they will have later in life? A study carried out at the University of Ulster revealed that by age 5 most children have already formed a basic image about the different sciences. A little later, around the age of 7, they have developed a positive or negative attitude towards science in general that will remain ingrained for a long time.
Tapping into their natural predispositions early on, during the early stages of their development, can nurture a positive attitude toward science that will stay with them into the future by encouraging them to explore and experience different areas of scientific knowledge as they develop their interests and passions.
Why should children learn science from a young age?
1. Provides a broader knowledge of the world
Science gives children a bigger picture of how things work. They give them information about the world around them, from the human body to the mechanics of a car or the solar system. This knowledge will become the basis for assimilating new concepts, finding the interrelationships between phenomena and developing a more complete perspective on their reality.
2. Encourage problem-solving skills
Scientific problems are challenges that promote the development of problem-solving skills in children. Science stimulates the processes of analysis and synthesis, two basic operations of thought, in addition to promoting investigative skills. Children will learn to ask questions and try to test hypotheses using a method, which will help them develop logical thinking. Science will also encourage them to think on their own and reach their own conclusions, promoting freer and more autonomous thinking.
3. Develop skills necessary for life
Science activities provide children with opportunities to develop and practice different skills and qualities that will be key to their future lives. They teach them to stay focused on a task and encourage them to make informed decisions and draw their own conclusions based on their observations and experiments. Science can also stimulate children's collaborative and teamwork skills as well as communication skills and expand their vocabulary.
4. Stimulates creativity
Science teaches basic concepts and laws, but it is not dogmatic. In fact, one of the great advantages of teaching the scientific method to children is precisely that it contributes to their creativity. With science, children learn to generate new ideas, establish connections between different concepts and seek original solutions, which can lead them to invent new technologies in the future.
5. Nurture respect for nature
A child who understands how the Earth is formed and the delicate balance that exists between living beings will be a child much more committed to caring for the planet who will want to make more rational use of natural resources when he is older. Understanding the impact of environmental changes and human activity on ecosystems develops environmental awareness from an early age and fosters love and respect for nature.
How to promote interest in science in children?
A survey conducted at Harvard University revealed that a fourth of parents feel that the school does not pay enough attention to science in its educational programs. However, regardless of the subjects taught at school and their teaching hours, an interest in science can also develop at home from an early age. So as a parent you can make a timetable to develop your child's interest in science at home, as your child is going to school also so you can have weekends to do it. So remember to have a plan. How are you doing? Do enough research to make your plans using the days between dates calculator to plan each weekend.
Explore together
Science is everywhere and it can be very simple and fun. A visit to the park or an afternoon on the playground provides tons of opportunities for children to learn new things. So encourage your child to explore his environment and then ask him to tell you what he has discovered. You can observe life in an ant colony or watch a storm build up. Every day there are so many learning opportunities to take advantage of. And if he asks you something, but you don't know the answer, confess and investigate together.
Articulate knowledge
Science is cumulative, which means that children will develop knowledge from what they already know. In fact, it is an ideal subject to promote meaningful learning, which builds on prior knowledge. To simulate this type of learning, you must start with what your child already knows and expand his knowledge on that subject. Is not difficult. For example, when he asks you a question, inquire about what he knows and articulate your explanation based on that information.
Buy him science games
Science can be a lot of fun. If your child shows a special interest in some subjects, take advantage of that curiosity and provide him with games that allow him to delve into science. A microscope, for example, could turn a trip to the pond into an afternoon of wonder and learning. There are other fun toys too, like chemistry kits for you to do experiments at home or even fossil dig kits for you to become a paleontologist for a day.
Don't forget the books
Books are also windows to science. You just have to make sure they are not boring. "Martin the scientist", for example, is a perfect children's science book for children who are taking their first steps in this fascinating world. Its protagonist is a nine-year-old with whom children will quickly identify.
