LEARNING HOW SCIENCE CAN BE FUN?
Kids are highly curious about the world around them. Any parent knows that at a very early age kids begin to ask lots of “why” questions. Their questions have to do with real life and are therefore important to them. Kids are also astute observers. They automatically observe, think, and do. In naturally seeking real answers to their real questions kids progress further into the learning process. As a result, they begin to develop science skills such as observing, classifying, reasoning, and predicting.
What is Science?
Science is the study of the world around us. Chemistry, Physics, Biology and Environmental Science are just a few examples of the sciences that surround us every day. As per the general perception, Science is considered to be complex & least exciting for a kid, full of theories, hypotheses, observations and practical investigations. All these are supplemented with typical monotonous lectures in the school in most cases. Moreover, it is very difficult to attract the attention of students and make them understand the concepts of science. Kids are very fast learner and they have inherently inquisitive mind and hence if parents can ensure right direction, learning science can actually be simple, instead of being complex.
Why Kids Should Learn Science
- Science helps children develop key life skills, including an ability to communicate, remain organized and focused, and even form their own opinions based on observation. Science also helps children develop their senses and overall awareness.
- Children are hands-on learners, and the world around them provides so many natural opportunities. That is why you should never underestimate the power of learning through play. Interacting with their environment will support their intellectual development.
- Children are primed for learning, and what they learn while they’re young can impact their interests later in life. Studies have shown that students begin to develop an interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) during the elementary years. Having an interest and knowledge in these subject areas provides future career opportunities.
How Learning Science can be Fun
Storytelling
This has been probably the most engaging ways to teach students for years in most cultures around the world. Students like to hear stories and it often leads to retention. Whatever they are being told in a story format, it is likely they will understand it better, relate to it better and remember it for a longer period of time. Teachers and parents can incorporate storytelling in while teaching different topics of science.
Role Play
In role playing, students get to play the role of a person influenced by an issue, both intellectually as well as physically. This method has proved to be very effective in helping students learn new concepts with much ease and improved retaining capacity. This has been a effective strategy in the physical world and currently many teachers are adopting this in the classroom settings.
Visual Teaching
It is a proven fact that visuals hold the power of staying longer on our minds than words. If students are taught the complex scientific facts with a visual treat, it is likely they will be able to grasp it faster and longer. The multi-sensory experiences like drawings, diagrams and pictures help students to understand and memorize the concepts better while surfacing its practical application too.
Sports Based Learning
Applying their learning using their interests like sports and other games could prove to be really beneficial in teaching them real life science. With the game of football or cricket, students can inquire into concepts like motion, speed, acceleration in a very engaging manner. While this will help students to learn physics, it will also inculcate the spirit of the sports among them.
Learning Online
There are various interesting online courses available which helps with experiential learning of a subject. With the help of 3D learning, detailed diagrams or illustrations of plants or body system can be shown to the students to help them understand it better.
Technology is fast changing in the world and with the advent of AR / VR, learning will be much more interesting for kids. Parents need to stay updated with the latest developments and apply the technological innovations to teach their kids complex scientifical concepts with much ease.