Encouraging your toddler to think scientifically

When we think of a scientist, most of us picture an old guy in a white coat sitting in a laboratory packed with computers, test tubes and a tonne of computers. The assumption that science is reserved for the super intelligent is a misconception. All it takes to be great at science is having an interest since this will motivate you to work harder. Helping your kids learn scientific thinking at a tender age increases the likelihood that they will have a real interest in exploring scientific subjects later in life.

The assumption that science is reserved for the super intelligent is a misconception

Let’s begin by understanding how science works for children

Every parent must be clear on one thing, when it comes to science in early childhood, it is not about the history of science or complicated concepts such as space travel and quantum space. It involves the simple things around them that entail the use of scientific concepts. For instance riding a bicycle, get them thinking in the science involved in it.

These simple things around them will get them interested in learning and mastering scientific concepts. This is also the right age for kids to start understanding causal relationships. For instance a simple set of building blocks will teach your kids the causal relationship between balance and gravity when they see how the stack blocks fall on the ground.

A great part of teaching science at an early age is keeping kids engaged in hand-on-play activities that stimulate the body and mind simultaneously

STEM and SCIENCE Toys

The kind of toys that your child plays with will determine what they are interested in. STEM simply stands for Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics. These toys are specifically designed to aid in getting your kids to understand scientific principles at an early age.

These toys are customised to give your child the capacity to understand basic scientific principles. A great STEM or SCIENTIFIC principle captures the imagination of a kid, stimulates them mentally and physically and also rewards their curiosity. This does not mean that just because they are educational they have to be boring. Educational toys that are also fun are immensely useful since they also build your kids confidence. Aside from helping your kids develop an interest in science at a young age, STEM AND Science toys also:

Helps to keep your kid inquisitive and curious about the world around them
SCINECE and STEM toys help encourage problem solving
Helps with hand-and-eye coordination and motor control
These toys actively engage a kid’s imagination making them creative and open to learning new concepts
Inspires kids to learn about technology

Investing in these kinds of toys though a bit costly will be totally worth it at the end of the day. We are absolutely sure that most of the tops architects and engineers started as lego fans in their childhood.

Science should start and continue at home

It is an easy trap for parents to think that once their toddlers are off to school, they don’t need to keep doing the scientific stuff. This is a big misconception. The best to maintain your kid’s interest in science is by ensuring that your home is a scientific environment where kids can continue to explore what they learn in school.

Encourage your kids to pursue science but never force them. One of the biggest mistakes that most parents make when it comes to introducing kids to science is forcing them to understand and maintain an interest in it. If they love it then keep encouraging the, on the other hand if they have no interest in what you deem scientific perhaps it is time to think outside the box. For instance, if your kid loves music, how about using that to teach them scientific principles? All musical instruments ranging from drums and pianos to guitars and violin all involve the application of scientific principles. Ask yourself; what is my child interested in? Use that information to ascertain the best way to introduce them to science.

One of the biggest mistakes that most parents make when it comes to introducing kids to science is forcing them to understand and maintain an interest in it

With this information at your finger tips there is no doubt that you will give your kid a great start in life scientifically!