9 Activities for Encouraging Science – Keeping Kids Interested

Children’s approach towards education is formed through their parents’ approach towards it. If education rather than entertainment is made a priority, then the activities you plan together as a family will be based around that. Children will study many subjects in school, including science. Parents can help give their children a head start by these 9 Activities for encouraging Science.

9 activities for encouraging science

9 Activities for Encouraging Science

Show Them Science Is Exciting Fun

Some parents avoid talks about science because they did badly in it at school, or feel they don’t know enough. Avoid saying negative things that might dampen their interest, like “I always hated science at school.” Instead, treat it like a voyage of exploration for the whole family. Keep the talk positive. At our home, we love learning and understanding the science behind it.

Visit Science and Natural History Museums

Museums are a great place to start. After all, what kids don’t love dinosaurs? Some natural history museums have a planetarium attached too. It’s a great way to get them interested in exploring the stars. Most museums have a “Night at the Museum” sleepover, which could be a fun activity for the whole family. Math museums are starting to become more popular, offering games, activities and challenges that are so fun, most kids will have no idea how much they are learning.

9 activities for encouraging science

Over the past 2 years each Spring we have attended the Science Rendezvous at the University of Toronto, St George Campus to learn and experience different aspects of Science.

Career Options

Many children talk about what they want to be when they grow up. Many might say a chef, nurse, even an astronaut. Parents can remind their children they have to do well at science in order to get accepted into college for any of those careers. The same is true if they want to be a veterinarian to help sick animals. Focusing on the fact that there are a lot of opportunities if they do well in science can help them feel eager about a future doing something they really love.

Educational Toys, Games and Books

Every parent has a budget. Make your money go further with quality educational toys, games and books they can really learn from. In particular, you can buy them geology sets and chemistry sets when they are old enough to be able to use them safely. Here is a list of Science books for kids.

TV Shows and YouTube Videos

There are many nature and science channels available on cable with a range of science and nature programs that can really inspire children. Try the Discovery channels, National Geographical channels, and PBS programs. Find kid-friendly Science experiments to try on YouTube. We like to check out Kids Fun Science and a few others.

Nature Trails

Nature trails can be fun if you take the time to learn more about the plant, animals and geological information about the area. Learn how to identify different trees and flowers. Take along some disposable rubber gloves and trash bags and clean up items that should be recycled as you wander along. We have many trails that we like to visit around Toronto. Our favourite is down by the Humber River.

School Standards for Mathematics, Science, and Technology

Their teacher can help by providing copies of what you need to know. There are also a number of books available that support subjects like math and science based on grade levels. Have your child do their homework, and then a page of their supplemental workbook every day.

Learning at Home

Give your children research projects to do in their spare time so they are not just sitting around watching TV or playing computer games. See what their teachers have assigned, or ask them for suggestions. Have them research a favourite animal, create an overview of its habit, and so on. The possibilities are endless.

Science-Based Websites

Visit the NASA site to learn more about our solar system. Check out weather sites to learn more about the weather changes. Discuss the issues of captivity, conservation, destruction of habitat, and climate change. In 2016 my daughter’s school had a live chat with NASA Engineer Debbie Martinez and all the students who attended received a certificate.

By doing these activities, tailored to the age of your kids, you could help encourage a life-long interest in science.

How do you encourage science with your children?

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One Response to 9 Activities for Encouraging Science – Keeping Kids Interested

  1. Enjoyed reading the article above …, really explains everything in detail, the article is very interesting & effective. Thank you and good luck for the upcoming article.

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