How to Help Your 2nd Grader Love Science
Imagine back in time a bit to your old school days. Did your science teacher just stand there and present you with a bunch of facts and figures? For most of us, the only entertainment we ever had in science was looking at the photos in our textbooks.
This is probably how your child is feeling right now about his or her 2nd grade science. This is not because there is anything wrong with science or that science is boring. The problem is, that it is being introduced the wrong way.
Make Science Exciting
A textbook works great as a guide to learning science, but should try and do more to make science really exciting. Science experiments are by far the best way to get a child interested in science.
One thing you can try is to have your child plant a seed in a cup with some soil and watch as it goes through the life cycle of growing and sprouting. Out of all the 2nd grade science curriculum on the market, my absolute favorite is Apologia Science. I have found Apologia to be the best at really making science fun and engaging for children.
Children, especially 2nd graders, love interaction. If you feel up to it, let your child take of a chick that just hatched out of an egg. Let him or her care for it. This is a great way to teach your child about both science and life itself.
Children Need to Be Allowed to Think for Themselves
When a child asks you how something works, your natural instinct is to explain it to just explain it all to them. Instead of just telling them the answer. Why not help them discover the answer themselves? This way you can teach your child how to think for themselves and learn the answer at the same time.
For instance, if your child asks you what fish like to eat, you could answer back ‘What do you think fish like to eat?’ Show the child what that fish has in it’s environment, and encourage them to give you their thoughts.
Want to save money on your homeschool programs? Visit Used Homeschool Curriculum to snatch up great deals on used curriculum and to discover more about different homeschooling options.
- Amy H
