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 collaborative process that helps us understand the world and how it works. Children learn science by actively doing it — and that’s why science and kids are a natural fit!

Six-year-olds are eager to engage in science inquiry: they are increasingly able to formulate questions, carry out simple investigations, generate ideas about how and why and describe and share their findings. They like to ask, “What if?” and they can record and represent information through drawing and charting. They can also gather useful information from books, videos, photos, charts and other people. This is a great age to provide kids with their own science tools — such as hand lenses, thermometers and rulers. Many of children’s science explorations at this age also incorporate engineering — a related discipline. Doing science is about asking questions and investigating to find answers, and engineering is about identifying problems and investigating to find solutions.

Opportunities for six-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!