During preschool, children are introduced to the different subject areas that they will continue to learn about throughout their educational careers. One of the subject areas that is introduced during preschool is science. Through science investigations, children begin to explore and understand the world around them and gain an appreciation for scientific experimentation.
Evaporation
Preschool children investigate the process of evaporation through this activity. Soak two paper towels in water and wring the excess water out of the towels. Place one towel inside a zip-top storage bag and place the other towel on a dish. Put both of the towels in front of a window. After some time, the towel left in the open will begin to dry, while the towel inside the bag stays wet. Explain to children that the water from the towel on the dish has evaporated, or absorbed into the air. The towel inside the bag remains wet because it is not exposed to the air and cannot be absorbed by it.
Magnet Investigation
Children will have fun studying magnetic attraction through this hands-on activity. Provide children with magnets and a variety of objects that will and will not stick to the magnets, such as blocks, paperclips, nails, iron filings and feathers. Explain to children that magnets only stick to certain items. Ask them to predict which items will stick to the magnets and which objects won't stick. Allow students to hold the magnets over the different objects, proving or disproving their predictions. Ask students what they notice about the objects that did stick to the magnets and explain to them that magnets only stick to certain metals, such as iron and tin.
Egg Sounds
During preschool, children should develop a firm comprehension of their five senses. With this activity, students investigate their sense of hearing. From a craft store, purchase plastic eggs. Fill each of the eggs with different items--for instance, rice, coins, paper, cotton balls, marbles and paperclips. Leave a sample of each of these items out on display for students to view. Instruct students to shake each of the eggs and use their sense of hearing to determine which object is inside each of the eggs. Explain to them that after they shake an egg, they should place the item they believe is inside the egg in front of that egg. Once a prediction has been made for each egg, children open the eggs and confirm whether their prediction was correct or incorrect.
Related posts
Use a tea kettle to examine evaporation.Science is all around us, from leaves that change colors to boats floating in water. Science topics are virtually limitless. When teaching children science,...
Use scientific experimentation to nurture young children's natural curiosity.Using science experiments with preschoolers is a way to enhance and develop the natural curiosity of young children. De...
Farm animals keep preschoolers' attention.Farm animals fascinate preschoolers. They love to imitate the clucking of chickens and the mooing of cows. Capitalize on children's love for animals by gi...
Teach young students how camels have adapted to their environment by building a diorama.By the second grade, students will start to explore the fundamentals of new subjects, such as science. This...
Patterns in natureElementary school students engage in learning when they participate in hands-on activities that reinforce concepts and provide a sense of usefulness or purpose. Science and math...
