Many major industries rely on employees who have acquired science related qualifications. With that in mind, many parents are keen to encourage their children to perform well within that particular subject area, but they do not always know how they can help. The most important thing you can do is encourage curiosity within your child so that they ask lots of questions and demonstrate an enthusiastic approach towards learning new information. I have teamed up with a girls’ prep school in Surrey to offer parents some further guidance when it comes to raising a science lover!
To help your child find an interest in science related subjects, try and make it something that is frequently discussed within your home. For instance, you could discuss a medical discovery that you’ve recently read about in the news or a natural disaster that has happened overseas. This will help them become familiar with the subject, emphasise how broad it is and may also spark their interest further. Mealtimes are a great opportunity for your family to sit down together and discuss such topics.
Try and find opportunities to teach your child new things in practically everything you do together. As an example, if you’re driving somewhere in the car you could discuss how the engine works and how the car is actually moving. If you’re taking a walk through the park, you could discuss different aspects of nature such as the trees and any wildlife you spot. Again, the idea is to help your child develop an understanding of how important science is in relation to the rest of the world.
You may find it beneficial to speak to your child teachers as they will be able to provide you with an outline of the curriculum. This may help you tailor some of your own discussions at home so that they are more appropriate to your child’s learning level. For younger children, there are lots of toys and science kits on the market which might help inspire your kids when they are very little.