Doing Science Every Day

Science is far more than a set of concepts about properties, pushes and pulls and living things. It is a dynamic, creative and social process called inquiry. Inquiry includes wondering and asking questions, exploring and observing, talking about and representing findings and generating and sharing ideas. Young children learn science by actively doing it — and that’s why science and kids are a natural fit!

Four-year-olds learn about the world through direct exploration, using all of their five senses. They are increasingly able to observe carefully, describe and draw what they see, make comparisons and share their ideas about how and why things work the way they do. With support, they can even begin to record data on charts! They can organize objects by their properties — such as size, shape and material — and by their functions, such as items for playing, eating or drawing.

Opportunities for four-year-olds to do and learn science are everywhere, from the time they wake up in the morning until they go to bed at night. But they need your support to take advantage of these opportunities. Remember, nobody knows your child like you do. That makes you the best person in the world to help your child do science every day!