SCIENCE Should Be FUN!
Hands-on, messy, colorful, engaging, and full of fascination!
As a homeschool mom and progressive educator, I believe it is important that Sammy often take on the role of “Scientist.” In our home, science “experiments” regularly spark his curiosity and have him asking research questions. Yep! “Research Questions” started at age 4.
Randy and I always make sure to tell Sammy that many of the questions he asks are research questions. He even has a little green book that I found in the Target One Spot discounted section. Together, we labeled it “Sammy’s Research Notebook.” On most days, throughout the day, I jot down Sammy’s research questions. We then take planned, meaningful time to “investigate” together. He also draws pictures of his “findings.”
Due to COVID and our family’s decision not to visit the library right now, most of our research is done on the internet with lots of YouTube videos. Let’s just say, I’ve developed thick skin watching crocodiles eat wildebeests, Jaguars leap into rivers and pull crocodiles up hills, and vultures fly down to eat carcasses!
Now, back to Sammy the Scientist! Recently, we experimented with oil and water to see what would happen when the two met up. I wanted him to actively wonder, manipulate, observe, and learn.
Prior to our experiment, I went online in search of safe, fun, and messy, hands-on science experiments for preschoolers. I came across the “Learn & Climb Kids Science Kit with Lab Coat” (for children ages 4+). This kit has been a thumbs-up in our household ever since. What sold me was the lab coat, goggles, and identification badge! Add to this, the storage tote full of amazing science tools, safe chemicals, and over 20 experiments! There’s also a colorful, user-friendly manual with clear instructions, illustrations, and a website to observe a scientist model each experiment.
For Sammy’s oil and water experiment, he needed two basic items found in our kitchen: 1) water, and 2) oil. We used vegetable oil for this particular experiment.
Donned in his lab coat, badge, and goggles, Sammy then retrieved the science tools and kitchen items. Sitting side by side, we watched the video. Sammy followed along as the experiment was modeled. I made sure to emphasize certain keywords over and over again to help build Sammy’s understanding and vocabulary. In that one experiment, he actively brought 11 familiar and new vocabulary words to meaningful life: test tube, funnel, pipette, beaker, squirt, pour, measure, screw, count, millimeter, and shake. Sammy had so much fun learning what happens when oil and water mix! To say he was fully engaged would be an understatement.
As Sammy’s “lab assistant,” in the days and weeks that followed, I intentionally scaffolded his learning. I searched the internet in advance and found numerous oil and water experiments using food coloring. We now make sure to add food coloring to our grocery list regularly.
SCIENCE IS FUN!
We chose to use a science kit, but if you don’t have one, no problem!! Your child and you can still have loads of fun learning with creative ideas and safe experiments found online. Ingredients are waiting for you right in your home kitchen. And, you can make your own, original lab coat, badge, and goggles … from an older family member’s shirt, an old wallet or piece of cardboard and yarn or shoelace, and an old pair of sunglasses! But remember:
Science should also be hands-on, messy, colorful, engaging, and full of fascination!
Such a wonderful Science lesson! Keep on exploring Sammy the Scientist!
Thank you Devonne! Hands-on learning is the BEST!
Love it!!!
Thank you Mary Lee for reading my newest blog and loving it!
Love Watch Monkey Mama and Sammy too! Thanks for sharing this wonderful experience!
Thank you for reading my blog “Sammy the Scientist” Debbie! I am glad you appreciate the sharing out of Sammy’s adventures!
Lesley you’re such a great mother and teacher. In these rough times, you’ve still managed to make Sammy’s learning skills fun and educational at the same time. Sharing your teaching is such a beautiful blessing to everyone who knows you: especially Sammy!♥️😘✌🏾
Wow! Thank you so much for saying this Wanda! Your thoughtful and loving words truly touched my heart! Learning as you know, should be fun and educational. As you pointed out – these are tough times we are living in. Hopefully, my blog with Sammy’s FUN learning experiences can encourage other parents/caregivers/teachers, etc. to create similar experiences that do not cost a lot of money, are extremely educational, and so much FUN!
So much fun to learn new stuff Sammy! Show us more experiments!!
Thanks Leigh! Sammy definitely approves of your suggestion so more hands-on experiments to follow! 🙂
I loved reading this blog and being exposed to Sammy in scientist mode. I’m eager to share with other parents to prove that this can be an optimal time for bonding educationally with our children. Great job Scientist Sammy!!
Thank you Fontaine! I am so glad you enjoyed reading my blog. Sammy LOVES anything and everything hands-on whether it’s science, baking, art, tinkering, mud and water, etc.! Yes! Please share this and other blogs with parents to let them know that this is so doable in the comfort of their homes, at little cost, and with happy little people who love bonding with family!
Lesley, “Sammy the Scientist” was a Wonderful read! In addition to your well-crafted storytelling, Sammy’s pictures told the story of how much fun science can be! His smile is mesmerizing and I can tell he soaks up learning. What a blessing that as his mom, you can also be his teacher.
I love that the food coloring was added to the experiment. Great tip! Congratulations on another Outstanding blog!
Thank you! Thank you! I appreciate your commentary on my blog about Sammy the Scientist Gloria. I definitely consider it a blessing that I can be both his mother and teacher. And he most definitely soaks up learning. I think this is in large part due to learning being so hands-on, exciting, and engaging.
LESLEY YOU CREATED A GREAT SCIENCE PROGRAM PLEASE PUT IT IN A BOOK WITH SAMMY’S PICTURES
CHILDREN WILL LOVE THIS A YOUNG SCIENTIST OF COLOR
Wow! Thanks for the endorsement and vote of confidence Pearl! I truly appreciate your kind words about the need for young Black and Brown children to see themselves as scientists and more in this world! Hopefully, a book is in the near future!
Love this! Love the wonder in his eyes! Love the way you give us non-educators the tools that build the confidence to try ourselves
Thank you so much Jennifer for reading my blog and appreciating the advice I give to non-educators as they “teach” their children especially, in times like these! Thank you also for acknowledging Sammy’s WONDER in his eyes! Welcome to the WatchMonkeyMama Community!