Scientific Thinking

Scientific Thinking

The science domain involves wondering about things, asking questions, investigating to find answers and collecting information. Using senses (seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling and touching) to collect information is important. Remember to have your child’s sight and hearing checked so they can use these senses as easily as the others. Use charts or drawings to show how to organize or group things. Be sure to explain why or how something happens and if you don’t know, show your child how to find the answers.

Scientific Thinking Development Support

 Important Skills Needed for School Readiness 

• Asking Questions
• Making predictions or guessing
• Using senses to gather information
• Talking about similarities and differences       
• Figuring out how things work
• Sorting or classifying objects
• Organizing and talking about information
• Using words to explain why something happened

Social/ Emotional Development Activities 

•  Sink or Float-  an activity for 3-4 year olds used to help a child wonder about and investigate things by making predictions and observing using a plastic tub or bathtub, water, 4 to 5 objects (cork, wood, styrofoam etc.), and a sink or float chart (a piece of laminated paper labeled “sink”and “float”
• All About Oranges – an activity for 3-4 year olds used to help a child investigate things and use their senses to collect information using the book “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” by Eric Carie, a plastic orange,a scratch and sniff sticker of an orange.
• Exploring Your World - an activity for 3-4 year olds used to help a child notice things about the world by thinking, talking and asking questions using a paper bag and a magnifying glass.
• Scientific Toolbox  – an activity for 3-4 year olds used to show a child that tools can be used to learn and see things differently using a magnet, magnifying glass, mirror and flashlight.
• Let’s Feel It – an activity for 0-2 year olds that supports a child in exploring their world using touch, sight and sound, the book “Pat the Bunny” by Dorothy Kundhardt is used.

Support Ideas 

1. Ask questions
2. Look at and talk about nature, animals, plants, and people
3. Talk about the weather
4. Discuss differences between day and night
5. Use simple scientific tools (measuring cup, magnet, ruler etc.)
6. Participate in recycling (sorting paper and plastic, recycling bags etc.)
7. Take trips to the Science Center, Port Discovery, the Aquarium, a park, or other child friendly locations near you.