Preschool Science

Because preschoolers are naturally curious, there are many ways to teach preschool science in everyday life. When teaching your child, you'll want to cover topics like bugs, animals, animal habitats, seasons, weather, space and the human body.

Here are some guidelines for teaching preschool science:

Slow down and give your child time to explore. Don't hurry him along as he stops to examine a leaf or flower. Try not to cringe when he picks up an earthworm.

Encourage your child to ask "why" and "what will happen if?" If you don't know the answers, take time to look them up. Find books and videos, and plan homeschool field trips that relate to your child's interests.

Let your child repeat her "experiments" over and over again. My daughter never tires of pushing her rubber duck under the bath water only to watch it float to the surface. She's testing her environment.

Use the terms "lily" or "daisy" instead of simply saying, "flower". Ask your child if she sees the "mallard" instead of using the word, "duck". Even young preschoolers can remember proper names and terminology.

Talk to your child about science during the course of daily life. Tell him about germs as he washes his hands. Explain that digestive juices make his tummy rumble.

Let your child bring nature in. Give her a special box for her leaves, flowers and rocks, even if they are really just chunks of concrete. My daughter keeps her collections in an empty shoe box.

Set up a science center in your home school to help your child experiment and discover.

Here are some additional science activities.

Preschool Science Resources

Here are some science resources you can use to teach preschoolers:

	Picture books like In the Nest teach science using vivid illustrations and simple stories that are packed with information and don't speak down to the child.
	Sharks is an extra durable lift-the-flap book that is great for hands-on learners. This entertaining book presents accurate information in bite sized pieces and uses engaging illustrations that children love!
	The Flip Flap Body Book is one of my favorite books about the human body. This book uses fun, detailed illustrations to explain how senses work, what happens to food and how babies are made (on a preschoolers level, of course).