How do you teach Science to Toddlers? 9am Science

How do you teach Science to Toddlers?

The way many of us were "taught" science was to learn the "facts". Naming, labeling, and memorizing what was already known to be true.

If we had a good teacher, we might get to do some experiments.  

Perhaps, we were encouraged to make predictions and then test our theories.  

But ultimately, we were searching for the "right" answers.

The teacher was the ultimate source of knowledge and it was up to us to receive it.

That's NOT how Science works in an inquiry based model.

Your child will definitely search for truth while he is here at Wonder Studio.  But...I hope to provide experiences that will provoke him to question these truths.

"Sciencing (a term used by Selma Wassermann and J.W. Georgy Ivany)  is a creative act.  Playing with variables.  Not looking for what we already know.

Asking, Will this work?  Maybe it will. I'll set up the test and see what happens.  If it's not working...I wonder what will happen if I try this instead?"  (The New Teaching Elementary Science, p. 6)

When you come to The Wonder Studio, you will see children testing theories.  

They already know how to get started.  They are not waiting for the adults to show them how to do science.

Einstein said, Creation (of new ideas) comes from tinkering, playing around.   

"High order thinking skills need to be developed through frequent practice.
If you want to be a writer, you have got to practice writing.  
If you want to become a successful problem solver, you have got to have a lot of experience doing problem solving." (p. 21)

Science is not a class you will find very often for toddlers or preschoolers.  
Instead, young children are taught "low-level" thinking skills like drills and rote memorization.
Children learn to look for the "right answer".

Once they are older, these children who have NOT had enough experience with learning how to play with ideas, tinkering around, making and testing their own theories...

Grow into folks who...

• Move into action before thinking about what is to be done.
• Insist one's idea is right even in the presence of contradictory evidence.
• Are rigid in their ideas.
• Have an inability to take the next step.
• Remain dependent on the teacher for direction.
• Have a lack of confidence in their ability to put forth new ideas.

(p. 21)

Your child will ask you questions and you might think they want answers.

But they are really just trying to start a conversation.  Your task is to find ways to continue the conversation.  
Once you give them a "right" answer, their drive to discover their own answer is instantly gone and the conversation is done.

I know so many children and adults who think the computer has all the answers.  

I would much rather my children know that answers are not the goal but our search is for understanding.  It is more important to  ask questions, to understand that learning is a journey you will forever be on.
Truth comes from understanding... not facts.