Preschool science involves nature, analytics, recognition of cause and effect, etc. So, to teach preschool science, consider the following guide.
Point out basic science in their everyday life:You do not have to get deep in science talking about chemicals, cell makeup, etc. but you can show the preschoolers how they see science happening every day in their life. When their mom puts ingredients in a bowl, and makes cookies, science is involved. When their skin turns brown in the summer from spending time in the sun, science is involved. When leaves change colors, bugs crawl around in the dirt, and clouds cover the sun, it is science. As kids start to observe these things, they will find that science comes more easily to them. Help them recognize and focus on the science in their life.
Help them document science in everyday life:Kids understand science better if they have a chance to document it. They may not notice how leaves gradually change color in fall. However, if you have them out collecting a leaf sample every day, and documenting with crayons how the colors change, they will see it, and their curious minds will want to understand how and why that happens. They may not understand how cellular structures, chlorophyll, and photosynthesis works, but they will want a version of it. So, as you document, explain what they see, and answer their questions.
Discuss what they see:This does not just have to be with science. A lot of science is seeing, analyzing, and predicting or experimenting. You do this in everyday life with everything, so help your child see that. For example, you might say, “I see five houses, how many do you see that are blue?” as you walk to school. This invites them to take the information readily available to them, and explore it further. Discuss what you see, why they think it is that way, what you could do to change the data you see, etc. This is all science in its most basic form, and will help prepare your child for more advanced science. Use nature:Kids love to be outside, so use that as an opportunity to help them better understand the science in their life. Take them out to play, and talk to them about why they sweat. When they get scared of a bee, ask them why they think bees exist, and help them understand how they can be scary, but are also very useful because of pollination. The opportunity for learning in nature is endless, so bird watch, gather leaves, twigs, flowers, etc. and let your preschooler get the basics of observing and analyzing what they see.
Preschool science is in place to lay the groundwork for deeper thinking and exploration. Get your child excited about it, and help them prepare to have scientific minds through questioning, observing, and analyzing what they see.
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