Learning Resources Offers Parents Tips for Getting Kids Interested in Science

• From developing curiosity in young children to science fair project help

Vernon Hills, Ill., January 26, 2007 — Scientific literacy is needed to navigate our everyday lives and parents can play a critical role in developing their children’s lifelong interest in science. Learning Resources, a manufacturer of hands-on educational products for the classroom and home, offers some simple tips for instilling an interest in children.  
            “Science knowledge is cumulative, and is built on what we already know,” said Carl Benoit, former science teacher and editorial director at Learning Resources. “For this reason, it’s important that children start building their science knowledge early, and parents can begin by encouraging questions and helping their children appreciate the value of science.”

Benoit offers these suggestions:

• Encourage a child’s natural curiosity and use their questions about the world around them as learning experiences. Ask them what they think the answer might be, or suggest you find the answer together.  

• Hands-on science can help children think critically and gain confidence in their own ability to solve problems. Young children, especially, like to touch, manipulate and change things. Through this process, they are investigating and experimenting, which is the core of scientific study.

• Science Fair projects are both fun and stressful. Parents can provide support and encouragement, supervision in regard to safety and the transportation and expenses needed. Offer guidance but let the project reflect your child’s individual effort and design. The child’s learning and experience is the real prize.

Children can learn science and increase their understanding of scientific ideas by investigating and experimenting. There are ready-made science experiments, like Learning Resources Erupting Volcano Model, or children can make their own household items.

For more tips on helping your children become successful science students and scientific thinkers, visit www.LearningResources.com/sciencetips