Introducing Physical Science to Pre-schoolers

There are several interesting science experiences related to physical science that can be offered to children of preschool age as shown below:

• Listening to sounds made by vehicles (trains, buses, bicycle, bike, aeroplanes, cars etc)
• Obeying signals while crossing the street
• Discussing various fuels - coal, oil, gas, steam, electricity
• Observing machines at work
• Familiarizing children with the use of slides
• Observing mist, rain, fog, frost, snow etc.
• Talking about various methods of communication - telephone, telegraphs, radio, newspapers, postal services, magazines
• Talking about balance with weights, observing the weighing process
• Using a magnifying glass to examine various materials and objects
• Discovering the use of a magnet - things which are attracted and things which are not
• Exploring the uses of household tools and appliances
• Performing simple experiments - Dissolving salt or sugar in water
• Exploring light and shadows by using a flash light
• Discussing friction
• Investigating water - Water evaporates, cleans, is in different forms (liquid, gas, solid) and is used for many purposes (drink, mix, play, wash)
• Mixing colours and observing the changes
• Observing shapes and things that are of these shapes
• Observing inanimate objects
• Discovering the use of a lever
• Discussing and using different kinds of wearing apparel for changes in weather
• Discovering the use of wheels that aid in work and play
• Providing substances and their opposites (sweet & sour, long and short, warm & cold, hard & soft)
• Talking about the changes in the sky - sun, moon, stars
• Exploring the weather - seasons, time of the day, changes
• Observing cloud formation
• Discussing wind using kite, balloons, dry leaves etc.

Some suggestions for experiences with water are:

• Siphoning from one container to another
• Floating objects - showing effects of size and weight
• Observing reflections
• Blowing soap bubbles
• Washing and drying doll clothes
• Building dams and canals
• Feeling the force of water as it comes from the tap
• Freezing ice and watching it melt
• Using ice cubes to set jelly
• Evaporating water
• Watering plants
• Showing water goes through some things better than others (sand, fabric, paper, rubber etc)
• Boiling water to produce steam
• Pouring water through a funnel or from one container to another
• Playing with water in a bath tub
• Changing the consistency of materials by adding water
• Cleaning with water

Some suggestions to explore air are:

• Observing the difference in temperature - coolness of the shade and heat of the sun
• Studying things which look alike but are different
• Feeling various textures (wool, wood, glass, metal, rock & sand)
• Smelling various odours (perfume, cooking ingredients, household commodities)
• Listening to various sounds
• Safety measures with fire, electricity, water, heavy objects etc.

The above list is not exhaustive, but provides clear examples of scientific experiences that can be offered. Today, the evidence is overwhelming that the quantity and quality of scientific experiences your child has, can greatly influence how well his thinking and brain works for the rest of his life. Scientists have made astounding discoveries about how rapidly a child's brain grows in the first few years of life forming trillions of connections every second that will later serve as the path ways of thought. Scientists also know conclusively that without ample, appropriate stimulation, those neural connections will wither and die. Hence enhancing a child's mind during the optimum time for many kinds of learning experiences related to science must not be missed by parents. Once you begin to think of your child as an eager, growing, exploring investigator with urgent physical and emotional needs, your whole relationship with him will be different - richer, happier and more satisfying!