7 Simple Ways to Engage Children with Science in Everyday Activities
Science is one of the most important things children can learn about because it is involved in almost all of our daily activities. From cooking to looking at the stars to building with blocks, everything involves a scientific aspect. Engaging children with science activities doesn’t have to involve complicated experiments or expensive equipment; engaging children with science activities involves looking for science in our daily activities. Often, the simplest activities are the ones that stay with children the longest, and children can learn a great deal about science through their daily activities.
1. Follow the weather.
Following the weather is one of the most engaging ways to study science in everyday activities. Children can chart weather patterns in their local area and follow any global weather events that happen. Learning about how weather travels across an area and how weather events (ex. hurricanes and tsunamis) can be correlated to one another also involves children learning about geography. You can start with a monthly calendar where you record the daily weather and temperature and look for trends, and to learn about how weather affects geographic areas differently, your child can also pick another location to record the weather so they can compare the two locations.
2. Have cooking experiments.
Most children love cooking in the kitchen, but few realize that cooking is actually a scientific process. Cooking involves measurements, following steps in a specific order, and chemical reactions. When cooking, foods change texture and forms (ex. browning meat or boiling an egg), and combining foods can change their state or cause them to taste differently. With younger children, you can involve them when cooking a simple recipe like cookies, and with older children, you can let them experiment with their own recipes (supervised of course).
3. Learn the parts of the body.
Learning the correct names for body parts is important because it teaches children about human anatomy and physiology. Instead of simply saying “leg,” children will be able to correctly differentiate between the femur, tibia, and fibula. When children play outside, they can learn about the muscles that help them throw the ball or run, and when children do their homework, they can learn about how the neurological system works.
4. Talk about food digestion.
After children have eaten, spend time talking about how our bodies break down food to be used for nutrients. Similar to cooking, food digestion involves many chemical reactions starting with saliva breaking down our food to be absorbed and hydrochloric acid in the stomach breaking it down even further. Talking about food allows conversation about how our bodies need different types of food containing proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals for sufficient nourishment.
5. Study astronomy through visual sights.
Studying astrology will allow children to learn about celestial objects including planets, the moon, and stars. At night, children can learn about science through star constellations and lunar phases, and this can also open conversations about space exploration, the history behind it, and the future of it. Children can observe certain objects with their natural eyesight or can use a telescope to obtain a more in-depth look at celestial objects.
6. Read books on scientific topics.
Tailor your child’s reading to include scientific topics. For children who like fairies, you can read on how rainbows form or how objects fly, and for children who enjoy animals, you can read books on different animals or living climates like the rain forest. The most important thing is to find scientific books on topics that interest your children and start reading.
7. Build with blocks.
Building with blocks is a popular activity for children and a smart way for children to learn about engineering. Children will learn about the requirements for a structure to remain stable and how different angles are used in the engineering process. For younger children, they can build basic structures with blocks, and for older children, they can build elaborate structural designs or try to replicate specific buildings. Not only does building with blocks involve everyday science, but it allows children to work on their fine motor skills and practice their mathematical skills.
Learning about science is an important part of a child’s development because so much of their educational development will build on it. For children to learn about science, it’s smart to use daily activities like food digestion and reading books to study scientific processes and information. By using daily activities, children will become more interested in science once they understand how often science is used in our daily lives.
Valerie Cox is a contributing writer for LOC Scientific. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, spending time with her family, and volunteering in her local community.