Knowledge of science is also a basic requirement of life. It is very essential to introduce the facts and myths about science in the early formative years so that children can well understand the world around the.
The following are some of the toddler science activities that can fascinate any child while learning science facts :
- Learning about the butterfly's life cycle
Catch a caterpillar and place it in an empty glass container along with some leaves. Cover the container with a paper and make a hole for air to pass through. Let your child observe the changes occurring when a caterpillar transforms into a pupa and finally into a butterfly.
- Learning about static electricity
Take an inflated balloon and ask your child to rub the balloon strongly against his hair or sweater. The balloon will stick to the sweater making him understand what static electricity is.
- Learning about object's density
Gather various materials of different density like wood, plastic, metal, orange, apples, plastic bottle, pencil, erasers, cotton, sponge, etc. Put these gathered items in a tub of water and ask your child to guess whether the objects will float in water or sink. This will help him learn what density is.
Take a piece of magnet and collect different materials like paper clip, pencil, drinking glass, thumbtack, metal, etc. Ask your child to watch the materials that get attracted towards magnet. This will help him learn the magnetic properties.
Gather different glass and plastic containers or bowls. Fill these containers with water and ask him the shape of water. This will help him learn that water has no shape and form.
Take all possible liquids to make your child understand that liquids have weight and volume. Make him understand that some liquids are lighter than other. Mix liquids like oil, coloring liquids, vinegar, milk, liquid soap, water, etc. all in one glass jar. Keep the jar for some time and let your child observe the mixture of liquids.
Pour one cup of milk in a shallow bowl and then pour few drops of red, blue and yellow food color at some distance to the edge of that bowl. Then place one drop of dish soap. Your child will notice that the dish soap being heavier than water floats on top and grabs the food color that was dropped first. When the colors meet, they form new colors that we call secondary colors.