Teaching children Science at home

Teaching children Science can be equally interesting as learning Science itself. Since Science covers topics which concern the natural world and things around us, in other words, both teachers and students can have fun to explore this matter.

This short writing is aimed to expose some considerations for parents on how to help children learn basic pedagogical Science applications at home.

Teaching our children Science is time-free as well as room-free. It means that it can be done anywhere and anytime. In terms of learning, home is one of the resourceful places where children can build up their scientific inquiries, curiosities and skills. For this reason, the role of adults, especially parents, is very essential.

We might question ourselves if we are competent enough in teaching our children Science at home. In fact, this attempt does not require formal academic titles in the field of Science. This just needs our willingness and patience to cater and engage our children to question, explore, investigate and experiment in the world of Science.

We do not need to worry whether or not it might cost a lot of money. Learning Science means exploring things and investigating happenings around us. Some of the skills and experimentations can be simply done in our daily endeavors. Like for instance, in the kitchen where and when mothers are cooking and serving food. Have the children observe the materials used for cooking and have them find out why those materials are chosen and necessary. Let them know and identify the names of such materials. Introduce as well the functions and how to use it effectively and efficiently. A lot of things or happenings at home can be meaningful resources for the children to explore and investigate. We do not even need a special Science laboratory or library to teach our children at home.

Below are some considerations which parents can take into account when teaching the children Science at home.

1. Learning Science is not just memorising information, but developing skills and nurturing attitudes.

Science covers three domains of learning. These are knowledge, skills and attitudes.

A. Knowledge is the important information used as reference when dealing with scientific question or problem.

B. Skills are the ability to explore the natural world scientifically. Some of those are comparing, observing, identifying, predicting, investigating, evaluating,  analysing and so on.

C. Attitudes are the qualities that are important to possess by scientists to achieve success. To name some, we take into greater account integrity, creativity, perseverance, curiosity, objectivity and so on.

Therefore, when teaching Science, we do not just ask children to memorise information. As much as possible, have them experiment or do by themselves to find out how things work. Application of knowledge is more important than understanding the concept. This may help them develop those three domains above completely.

2. Focus the topic of exploration on things children can observe using their senses

Children learn best through doing. They find difficulty to grasp abstract concepts or ideas. Therefore, the best thing to do is let them experience the pressures and dealings of the world around them using their senses. Have them see, hear, touch, taste and smell things around them rather than telling them how things look like, sound, feel, taste and smell. Accompany the children to observe things around them. Stimulate them to find out how things work on their own. Act as a facilitator, not only a source of information. Guide them to draw conclusion by them selves. Accept failures and precaution them that generally, first attempt is normally not a successful one. It is in failing that one can obtain perfection.

3. Help children develop their curiosity and inquiry.

By nature, children are curious about how things around them work. We can observe them asking lots of questions everyday. Do bear in mind that we are not supposed to get bored to answer those questions. This seems very simple but might bring about big impact when we discourage our children to address their queries to us by telling them that we are tired to answer their questions. It may kill their curiosity and inquiry. In fact, those are the basic attitudes that children must have to deal with the world of Science. However, we do not need to always provide the exact answers of certain questions but rather challenge them to try to find out the definite answers by themselves with proper guidance.

4. Provide an access of information resources.

This is very closely related to the previous point. Providing an access of information resources is a way to help children to find out answers of their questions by themselves. The information resources can be other persons, books, internet and so on. Once children are given an access to those information resources and told how to use them, they might be able to gather information as much as possible to help them support their scientific investigation. However, those resources are good-to-have but not must-have ones. Those who do not have those resources at home, parents can encourage the children to use the resources provided by school. This might just lengthen the duration of exploration process on a particular topic.

5. Use right teaching strategies.

Generally, children love to experiment. As mentioned earlier, they learn best through their senses. It is fruitful and exciting if we can provide hands-on activities when teaching the children. However, we should know our children’s learning behaviors whether they are visual, auditory or kinesthetic learners. This will greatly help us in providing them with the most suitable activities to learn. In this case, parents are encouraged to discuss the right strategy with the children’s respective teachers.

Teaching children Science at home can also be a good opportunity for parents to get more involved in children’s learning environment as well as knowing their attitudes. This is one way of conducting direct learning and behavioral assessments. Through this, parents are given best insights on how their own children engage in a certain activity.

Appreciation is an important motivating factor. We should learn to apply this value. Children will find it more fun when their efforts and achievements are acknowledged by others, especially by parents and teachers or even with friends.

I personally believe that good education is determined by three main factors. These are the school, home and students themselves. These must work hand in hand to strive for the betterment of the children’s future.

Let’s do it.