Lacey Weiner
November 2015
If students are in good health physically, How can You Nurture Your Childs Interest in
mentally, and socially many learning
benefits from science and other core Science and Health?
classes work in their favor. Scientific
thinking helps to strengthen already 1. Value your childs questions.
existing skills such as problem-solving 2. Explore and find the answers together.
techniques, researching skills,
hypothesizing skills, and reflection 3. Give children time and space to explore.
techniques. In this newsletter are many
4. Accept that explorations are often messy.
science and health projects that can be
completed at home with common 5. Learn from mistakes together.
household items. By working together
we can nurture the already existing 6. Invite curiosity.
skills of your student, and make them a 7. Support further exploration.
lifelong science and health enthusiast!
8. Encourage children to record their observations.
9. Make good use of your electronic devices.
10. Use items you have at home to experiment and explore.
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Adaptation:
Adaptation: Place the flowers on a table that is at the For students who may have difficulty stretching
eye-level of the student you are working with. the balloon over the mouth of the bottle, stretch
the bottom of the balloon over one side of the
mouth, and allow your student to finish stretching
it the rest of the way while you maintain a firm
grasp on the bottle.
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Materials:
Whole milk, a plate or a bowl, Q-tips, dish soap, and
food coloring
Procedure:
First, pour just enough milk to cover the surface of
your plate or bowl. Next, put as many different
colors/dots of food coloring in the milk that you
would like. Finally, use a Q-tip to drip dish soap into
the mixture of milk and food coloring. For best
results, do not mix the colors with the Q-tip!
Adaptation:
If your student has difficulty grasping a small object
such as a Q-tip, you can use a cotton ball taped onto
the end of a popsicle stick for optimal grip.
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Materials:
Soil, an area abundant with sunlight, a child-sized watering
can, seeds for radishes, baby carrots, and lettuce.
Procedure:
First, if you have never attempted to garden before, take a look
at this manual:
http://dirtandboogers.com/beginners-guide-gardening-with-
kids/
After taking a look through the manual, head out to your yard
to find the prime place to plant a garden. Once you find the
perfect spot with lots of sunlight, ask your child to help you to
dig up a small area for your garden. Then, head out to the store
and buy some seeds! The best seeds for your child would be
radishes, baby carrots, and lettuce. Results from planting these
vegetables are rapid, and children will be able to see their hard
work paying off in just a few short days. After your seeds are
planted and taken care of, have your child harvest your garden
with you!
Adaptation:
For a child who may be unable to crawl on the ground in a
garden, large planting pots can be purchased at local
department stores. Buy a planting pot high enough off the
ground that it is accessible for students who use the aid of a
wheelchair.
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References:
Thomson, C. (n.d.). Why is science important in young kids lives? Retrieved 15 November 2015, from
http://www.schoolatoz.nsw.edu.au/homework-and-study/other-subjects-and-projects/science/why-science-is-important-in-
young-kids-lives
Trundle, D. K. (2009, July). Teaching science during the early childhood years. Retrieved 15 November 2015, from
http://ngl.cengage.com/assets/downloads/ngsci_pro0000000028/am_trundle_teach_sci_e arly_child_scl22-0429a.pdf