How to Introduce Science to a Toddler

Your toddler's natural curiosity makes it easy to introduce science concepts during everyday activities.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Unbreakable Mirror For A Baby
• Flashlights For Kids
• Chidren's Toys
• Toy Alphabet Magnets

1. Play with water and sand. Pouring, dumping and transferring sand and water from different containers and using different utensils teaches valuable concepts of weight and volume. Encourage your toddler to count the scoops it takes to fill a container. Talk about how a container feels when it is full and empty. Compare sizes while talking about big and little.
2. Turn off the lights and get out a flashlight. Let your toddler explore light by flashing the light all around the room. Talk about what is happening.
3. Play with a safe mirror. Most children's mirrors are made of Plexiglas and are safe. Talk about reflections in the mirror and on household objects like windows, televisions and in the tub.
4. Sort and classify objects. You can do this with any object your child is interacting with while pointing out differences and similarities. Say things like, "I see two blue blocks and one red block. You have three carrot sticks and four crackers."
5. Play with magnets. Use the refrigerator and play magnets. Gather some small safe metal and nonmetal objects and compare which stick and which don't. Let your child experiment with the magnets.
6. Ask a lot of questions. Constantly ask your child why things happen. When the wind blows, ask what's happening. If you are playing with water, ask why a container overflows. Talk about the answers and repeat activities to see if your child learns from them.

Tips & Warnings

• Incorporate learning into every aspect of your child's play. Let your toddler take the lead in exploration.
• Cook with your child. Allow your toddler to play with measuring cups and safe kitchen utensils.
• Observe and manipulate nature. Outside is earth's laboratory.
• Your toddler will have a short attention span. Don't force continuation of a game if your child wants to move on to something else.
• Consult a professional family doctor if you experience extreme frustration or anger when interacting with your child.