Help Your Child Explore Science - Set High Expectations
What you say to your child is important. But what may be even more important
is what you don’t say.
Parents often convey their attitudes and expectations in indirect ways. If you
tell your children, “I never
liked science in school” or “I got my worst grades in science,” you convey the
expectation that science
classes will be boring or difficult, or worse, that you would accept low
performance in science. On the
other hand, if you say, “I wish I could do that experiment with you” or “I’m
so glad that you are having
opportunities that I missed,” you will open doors for your children.
Not every child, of course, is destined to seek a career in science. But every
child should be able to
become a scientifically literate adult, and all children should know that if
they choose science as a
career, they can succeed. Parental expectations can encourage positive
attitudes and personal best.
Don’t forget, too, that girls are every bit as curious as boys are about
science. Buy your daughter
that tool kit. And remember that science is often “messy.” Recognize the
difference between clutter
that comes from enthusiastic activity and the sloppy piles that result from
neglect.
Other Helpful Tips
-
Encourage your child to take things apart! Old toys, clocks, and household
appliances are great lessons—and don’t worry about putting them back together!
-
Don’t forget about safety. Supervise young children as needed.
-
Discuss science and technology careers. When you encounter people in
science-related careers, encourage your children to ask questions about these
jobs and the training needed for them.
-
Explore informal education sites. Science centers, museums, and natural
science institutions give children the chance to make independent discoveries
and participate in scientific processes while having fun.
-
Check out science-related library books and read them together. NSTA publishes
a list of outstanding children's science trade books for kindergarten through
12th grade students selected by a book review panel appointed by NSTA and
assembled in cooperation with the Children's Book Council (CBC).
-
http://www.nsta.org/publications/ostb/
-
Encourage children to explore awards programs and competitions that bolster
science learning in the classroom.