Science Activities for Toddler (Pre-Schooler -Age between 2-5yrs)

At my home I always try to inculate STEM in Sia’s work. STEM here stands for Science, Technology, Engineering+Environment (i took liberty and added Environment as I strongly believe a child must be attached to and raised in lap of nature) and Mathematics.

Recently we worked on STEM and performed several activities at home, I thought to blog it, so its easy for fellow parents. There was a lot to give however It is not possible to write or to read about all of it in one post hence in this post I will elaborate only Science and Work around it.

Science :- Science for young children focuses on direct experience.Children have many opportunities to directly observe and explore the living things, objects and materials, and events in the world around them. For example, as they learn about animals, children observe the birds, worms, snails, and insects in their own backyards and playgrounds.

Why Should we spend much effort on introducing kids to science?

•  First of all, there is the effect that science has on the mind in general,
• second is that there is the practical and immediate use of science in everyday life to consider.

Activities

Build a Dinosaurs Skeleton: Item Required – Construction Paper+ Beans OR Pasta + Glue +Googly eye

Model Cloud :- Item Required- Jar +Sponge + Dropper ( here the sponge act as cloud, and as soon as water from dropper is filled in cloud it starts dripping into glass which represents rain)

Animal Figures :- Help them classify the animals in different groups like Farm Animals, Zoo Animals, Forest Animals, Reptiles. If your kid understand these concepts fairly you can always start linking it geography or next level of science, like tell them about animals found in Asia or Africa etc. I generally prefer outdoors for such work.

Egg Strength:– Items Required- 3 eggs +6 bottle caps (place eggs between caps)+ objects around home (we used books) gently keep the object and observe strength of eggs.

Scavenger Hunt :- Lens +Scavenger hunt sheet (DIY) i have attached mine in picture,you can always devise your own depending on weather. Take a stroll in nearby area and checklist what you find in given season. We did it in spring and saw Bees, Pine cones, flowers,clouds etc. time to repeat for summers.

Cook:- I always encourage kids to be in and around kitchen, its really imperative for making healthy decision, practical skills, close to your food and learn the science of cooking. Depending on Age, interest and level of expertise of parent/caregiver and Child. However I would stress such work should be done in adult supervision. we can start with peeling boiled eggs, Boiled Potatoes, Emptying dishwasher, washing vegetables to chopping, stirring etc. Again it depends on lot of things that you know better.

Evening/Morning Walk:- Always ensure,when you are with a toddler walk at their pace, dont rush them up because your watch is tickling. Its okay not to do 1 mile everyday with them if its getting late come back from half way. if we decide to go for walk with them its their time. let them watch flowers, rocks,leaves and birds, let them run after squirrel. take this opportunity and tell them names of flowers or birds etc.

Walking kids also provide them an introduction to direction, talk to them as adult like take left,lets go right, that car is taking U turn, forward- backward etc.

Sink OR Float:- Items Required – Big bowl filled with Water and items around house. Put one item at a time and check if it sinks or float, You can spend little time here talking about buoyancy if kid is ready to understand.

There are lot more things that we did and are preforming everyday, I hope you will certainly try these with little brains. let me know in comments your thoughts and input on same.

In upcoming post I will share activities covering Technology. Will also try second series of science .

Till then keep experimenting,keep learning and sharing.

Happy Weekend, have lots of Fun with little scientist. Se y’all Super Soooooon 🙂

Love ‘n Light

AsthanaMama

Don’t forget to follow @asthanamama (insta handle- lot of things happening there 😛 )

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