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Parents seeking entertaining summer activities for their children don’t have to look very far. Backyard science for children can be fun, educational and inexpensive, says Dr. Steven Fairchild of James Madison University.
“Children are interested in their immediate environment and learn through their senses,” the assistant professor of education said.
He advocates learning from firsthand experiences. For example, rather than just telling children that many products are made from milk, let them make ice cream outdoors.
“Children construct their own knowledge through manipulation of materials,” said Dr. Fairchild.
Real-life experience provide the basis for extended learning. A book picturing the life cycle of a butterfly can reinforce the actual experience of watching a caterpillar form a cocoon and emerge as a butterfly. After seeing the transformation in nature and in pictures, children can then talk about or draw what they’ve observed.
“In this way,” he said, “children take in knowledge, expand it and share it with others.”
The professor said scientific explanations aren’t necessary for the young child - familiarity with the concept is the purpose of the activities.
“Children love to pour water,” said the professor. To demonstrate pressure and displacement, a small hole can be punched in the side of a paper cup. The child can fill the cup with water and as the stream of water flows from the hole, he can manipulate it to hit a dot marked in a second containers.
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