Talking to Your Kids About Science
Talking to your child about the natural world is one of the most powerful tools a parent has to encourage their child's scientific learning.

• The most important question
Why? It's one of the most common questions a child asks. It can be simple: "Why do dogs bark?" or complex: "Why is there gravity?" This tiny question can spark extended and rich experiences that help your children learn to be a true scientist. Every time children ask a question about the physical world around them, they are taking the first step on the same path followed by Newton, Galileo, Einstein, and all of the world's great scientists. Helping children embrace their natural curiosity is one of the most important things you can do to help them learn about science.

• Hypothesis - A Scientific Question
Questions lead to reflection, investigation, and discovery. Each time children ask a question about the world around them, ask them for a suggested response. By doing this, you validate their question while encouraging them to develop a hypothesis. A hypothesis is an assumption made in order to test its truthfulness. Hypotheses are the basis of all scientific investigations. Listening to children's hypotheses helps kids gain confidence in their thinking skills. It also gives you a chance to determine what children know, and where to start helping them find an answer. After a hypothesis is made, an investigation can begin.

• Investigation - Time To Explore
There are lots of ways to investigate a hypothesis. The most important way is by observation. Taking the time to observe the physical world and draw conclusions is a fundamental part of any scientific discovery. There are a lot of things that can be observed in your own home. You can watch ice cubes melt or study the way liquid moves through a straw, for example.

It is during the process of investigation that discovery happens. When children discover the answer to their own question, the information they uncover can stay with them for a lifetime.