Grade PreK • Science How to Support Your Child

GRADE PREK Science

How to Support Your Child

The study of science provides a rich opportunity for educators to help children develop scientific thinking skills while exploring the natural and physical world around them. Children learn about science by playing actively participating in hands-on experiences. Embedding scientific vocabulary into these activities and asking children questions help to expand their thinking by formulating answers to open-ended questions.  Field trips are an excellent channel to give children an enriching experience in science exploration in their natural world. The development of scientific thinking with guide future learning in school and life. 

Adapted from Supporting Every Young Learner: Maryland's Guide to Early Childhood Pedagogy Birth to Age 8

Tips

• Go on a nature walk to observe the environment.
• Name and describe things in the environment, such as plant and animal life, weather events, and the movement of people, animals, and objects.
• Use magnifying glasses to observe nature in the natural environment.
• Incorporate scientific tools (funnels, tweezers, ice cube trays, magnify glass, goggles, flashlights) into play with water/sand/sensory play.
• Use different thermometers to measure temperature.
• Make pinwheels or windsocks to observe wind flow.
• Do experiments together to explore what happens (e.g., mix colors together, slowly add water to a bowl of flour, plant seeds).
• Compare animals or plants that are similar and different.
• Discuss baby animal names (ex. calf, puppy, kitten, lamb) and compare the size of a baby animal to the parent animal.
• Identify some of the things that all animals do, such as eat, move around and explain how their features (observable parts) help them do these things.
• Use household materials (ex. large buttons, paper, clothespins, cotton balls, tissue boxes, paper towel rolls, empty containers, lids) to create models of animals.
• Encourage your child to ask questions about the world around them.
• Take trips.
• Science Center Links to an external site.
• Robinson Nature Center Links to an external site.
• Port Discovery Links to an external site.
• Chesapeake Children's Museum Links to an external site.
• Baltimore Aquarium Links to an external site.
• Baltimore Zoo Links to an external site.
• National Zoo in D.C Links to an external site.
• Howard County Conservancy Links to an external site.
• National Air and Space Museum Links to an external site.