"Parents are children's first and most effective motivators for learning. The key to keeping young children’s natural curiosity alive is for parents to take an interest in everything their child does and to talk about it together. Evidence shows that there is a positive impact on children’s development and on their education where parents or carers have higher aspirations for their children and engage actively with them through conversation, reading and play". - Department for Education, 2011
Engaging in science activities at home can be a fun and educational way to support a child's learning. Benefits to this include:
- Fun and effective ways for parents to engage in children’s learning
- An improvement in children’s language, curiosity and questioning skills
- A chance for parents to learn too
- Enriched relationships between parents and children
- Improved outcomes for children.
50 Things to Do
50 Things to Do Before You’re Five gives you 50 activities that parents and carers can support their children to try out and repeat. Each of the 50 Things has been carefully developed by education experts and early years practitioners following consultation with parents, and we have made sure that children with special education needs are included and that each of the 50 Things means something across our culturally diverse communities.
Simple science and fun activities for home
If you want to suggest some science home-schooling activities, you may want to suggest that families have a tuff tray or tray to help keep the mess contained while also letting children explore, play, and learn. The EYR blog has some simple homeschool activities for families to do at home.
NUSTEM has simple and fun activities to support young children exploring STEM at home.
Practical activities to support learning science at home or school
The Primary Science Teaching Trust's Science Fun at Home webpage provides simple and engaging practical science activities. Created to support learning at home, the activities are equally useful for learning at school. The activities are open-ended and adaptable for any age.
Each two-page resource sheet has activities that are:
- Clear and simple, using household resources
- Accessible and manageable for all
- Fun for children and their families to do together
- Linked to follow-up activities.
Activities for children to engage in science at home
Shadow Play: On a sunny day, take your child outside and ask them to stand in different positions. Have them observe how their shadow changes in size and direction throughout the day. This activity helps them understand the concept of the sun's position and how shadows are formed.
Colour Mixing: Set up an art project where your child can experiment with mixing colours. Provide red, blue, and yellow paint or food colouring, and let them see what happens when they mix different colours. This activity introduces the basics of colour theory.
Plant Growth Experiment: Plant seeds in different pots and place them in various locations around the house (e.g., by a window, in a dark cupboard, or outside). Have your child water and care for the plants while observing and comparing their growth over time. This activity teaches children about plant needs and the effects of light and environment on growth.
