The Importance of Science Identity

Experimentation is the process of systematically investigating a topic. Developmental scientists have found that novel science skills begin to develop as early as 4 years old (Sobel, Yoachim, Gopnik, Meltzoff & Blumenthal, 2007). You can support the development of experimentation skills in your child to experiment with these easy tips!

Encourage questions! Asking questions is an important indicator that your child is thinking critically about what they are observing.
Think out loud. Make “I wonder” statements to facilitate observation, prediction and conversation.
Try things, even if you don’t think they will work. Productive failure is an important part of the process of science. Allow your child to see ways that don’t work to learn what does!

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Learning Through Play

Researchers believe that play-based learning is critical to developing the fundamentals of lifelong learning. Play has been demonstrated to promote long-term learning (Zosh et al., 2017), increase connectivity in the brain, and fosters higher engagement with STEM in high school and college (LEGO Group, 2017). Experts in the science of play suggest these are the mechanisms that make play-based learning so effective.

Natasha ChlebuchJune 8, 2020