Scientists are born at home and nurtured by a child’s first and most important teachers: his or her family. Scientists grow through opportunities to explore the world; our engagement in their lives; our interest in their questions; and our interactions that encourage more questions, explorations, testing, and reflection.

We can make the most of our child’s natural curiosity by exploring materials and investigating together. Our goal is not to tell scientific facts, but to create an environment of inquiry — to search for answers, not just give answers.

Asking open-ended questions is a wonderful way to nurture our children’s natural sense of wonder. Some questions to ask a child are:

What do you think?
Tell me about it?
How would you describe…?
What does it look/feel/smell/taste/sound like?
What do you think happened?
How do you think that happened?
Can you think of another way?
How can we find out?

Your Home as a Laboratory
The home and outdoors are wonderful laboratories that contain basic elements for science activities: water, heat, and cold, as well as nature and wildlife. Children and parents can discover science together as collaborators who collect, sort, arrange, create, construct, and experiment with materials found right in our homes.

A Sample of Scientific Tools and Materials at Home

From the inside:

Egg cartons and ice trays
Plastic containers
Strainers and sifters
Measuring spoons and cups
Magnifying glasses
Tape measures
Eye droppers
Tape and glue
Sponges
Ventiladores

From the outside:

Pebbles and seashells
Bark, leaves, and seeds
Flowers and plants
Clay, mud, dirt, and sand
Feathers and nests
Insects and snails
Spades and shovels
Thermometers
Rain gauges and wind socks
Binoculars

Science is everywhere. Exploring what the world is made of and how it works is a wonderful way to spend quality time with our children. Of course, it takes patience with the endless questions and clumsy fingers. Remember to keep a frame of mind that recognizes slow is good, investigations are not linear, and fun and science are very compatible.