Scared? Don't be! We are here to help.....

Loads of parents and teachers have a fear of teaching science to toddlers and pre-schoolers because of the fear that it is too difficult. However, it is easy when you are able to relate to to things that is surrounds them.  Here are some ideas as to how you can do it! 

Relate it to daily life
Simple things like cooking, playing are somehow related to science. For example, when we bake a cake we turn a liquid batter in to a solid cake.  Or even when an ice melts into liquid and how we boil it it will turn into a steam. 

Things that can be seen and not too abstract are the best for them to grasp certain concepts. There are resources that you can find online that can help you with this.  We have posted a few fun and exciting things  that you can do with your child at home that is easily done at home or in the classroom.

Have toys that are science related
There are many toys available out there that are science related nowadays and you know kids love to play. So why not let them learn while they play??  However, loads of DIY science kits out there may not be as suitable for younger kids but if parents or teachers can do it together, it is really a very effective way to get kids to explore. We, here at Little Scientists also have a online shop where you can browse for fun science toys for your kids or for Christmas/ Birthday gifts.

Visit science centres and factories
Science centres are places where kids can learn about many things, from the galaxy to bugs, from cars to music. You might even find something that really interest your child so that you can tap on it at home or at the classroom. It is definitely easier for them to "get the idea" when they are interested in something.

Visiting places like factories this is always fun and educational. Exploring how things are made and work always triggers the curiousity of young children. They may not get it at first but sure would like to explore more. Schools trips to chocolate factory, ice-cream factory is definitely a winner because the children know that they would be given some treats at the end!

Have science experiments at home
Easy science experiments that are age appropriate are now everywhere on the internet and usually uses things that can be found at home or can be bought cheaply. Resources online are endless, from video tutorials or printable instructions can definitely ease your worries. Little Scientists also has some simple experiment videos online at our Youtube channel. Do feel free to experiment with them and we will be very happy to see your exploration with your child. Put it up on Facebook and tag us!

These are just a few ideas for helping you overcome your fears of teaching science to the little ones. We do hope these tips are helpful and we would love for you to share your experiences.  Have fun and enjoy, and remember, a little mess won't kill! :)

~May

Kids Wonderland Holiday Science Camp

Dream of bringing your children to theme park this year end school holiday? We can make your dream come true. Get our latest science camp now and bring your children to a theme park that's just at the comfort of your school! 

Our KIDS WONDERLAND science camp is packed with fun-filled science adventures for your children to explore. We have 9 awesome activities that will amaze your children and the teachers too! 

From a magical sand that doesn't get wet to the cutest scampering bunny ever, KIDS WONDERLAND science camp will make your school holiday an unforgotten one!

Watch our trailer for a preview of the exciting activities:

For Kindy, who are interested to run Kids Wonderland holiday science camp during this coming year end holiday,  please do not hesitate to contact us, pm us in Facebook or Call/sms "YES" to 010-366 0160 for more information.

For Parents, if you are interested, you may ask your children's kindy to get the camp from us. You may also bring your children to the nearest kindy that will be having this camp.

Website: www.LittleScientistS.com 
Online Shop: www.LittleScientistS.com/shop
Youtube Channel: www.youtube.com/littlescientistvideo

Ice Sun Catcher!

-May

Activities you can do at home with the kids that make science ANYTHING but boring! - An Ice Treasure Hunt

Here's something FUN for your kids over the weekend to beat the hot sunny day - An Ice Treasure Hunt! Kids loves treasure and they also loves to play in the water. This is definitely something that can keep your children occupy for a long time!

Here is what you need for this Ice Treasure Hunt:
- Ice cube tray or plastic containers
- some plastic toys that don't get damage when it get wet
- food colouring (optional)
- water
- FREEZER!

To do this activity, gather a bunch of small plastic toys and put them each in a ice-cube tray or a container. Fill it with water and put it in the freezer for about 8 hours until it is solid.

To add to the fun, you could also make a much bigger scale! (This is something you want to plan out the day before.) To do this, you will need a much bigger plastic container (Empty ice cream container will be the best).

Directions:

1. Fill the plastic container with about 25% of water. Drop in a few toys.  Freeze for a couple of hours.  
2. Remove from freezer and add about another 25% of water.  Drop toys in different areas.  Return to freezer.
3. Repeat until full.
4. Remove the ice block by running hot water over the container (be careful!) or let it sit outside for a few minutes.

Take it outside and put it on the floor or a table. Provide some tools and some jugs with warm and hot water in them and let your children discover what's hiding in the ice!

Challenge the children to use various method to melt the ice , such as hitting the ice with hammer, pour hot water over it, put the ice under the sun, pouring salt on the ice and etc untill they collect all of their treasures.

This will definitely occupy them for a long time and it morph into a bit of a science project as they will learn to experiment with different temperatures of water and with different techniques. It was also a good way to cool off on a hot sunny weekend! Science is everywhere once you start looking for opportunities to use it.

-Grace-

Activities you can do at home with the kids that make science ANYTHING but boring! - Magnet Fishing Game

Are your kids bored out of their minds at home every weekend? There are lots of fun science experiment you can do at home with your kids. Here is one example of science activity that you could try it out with your kids over this coming weekend - Magnet Fishing Game! This is really simple and it's fun for kids of all different ages!

Here is what you need for this Magnet Fishing Game.

To make the fishes:

• Few pieces of plastic sheets
• Paper Clips

To made the fishing rod:

• A stick
• A piece of string
• A magnet Ring

Lastly a large bucket or paddle pool filled with water for the pond and your kids can ready for some fishing game!

You could also try a larger pond by using a bathtub! Fill up your bathtub a quarter full, add those fishes to the water. Place a towel on the floor along with a plastic bowl to place the "fish" in that he catch.

If you do not wish to play with water, you could create another set of "fish" using just coloured paper and paper clips to play with on dry land.

To make the whole fishing game more fun and tricky, you could add in "fish" without paper clips. This will be a great way for your kids to learn that some of the things are magnetic and some are not.

You don't have to go to a museum to get playful with science. Simple science activity like this will definitely keep your child busy for few hours. Science is everywhere once you start looking for opportunities to use it.

-Grace-

Get Organized!

Teachers sometimes run out of ideas in ways to make teaching fun and exciting, even more so in organization in the classrooms. There are many websites out there that helps teachers with organization, whether in class or with teaching itself. Looking at some of the tips and tricks shown below makes me want to try them out even though I am not a teacher!

1. Get 2 empty bottles and label them as shown above. This will definitely help you when it comes to sorting out a bunch of pencils in the basket of all your colouring pencils! Let your children know once their pencils are blunt, put them in the bottle that is labelled "not sharpened" so that you will know that you'll need to sharpen it after class! At the same time, they get to learn opposites! :)

2. Have small boxes to organize your materials according to the days. It will definitely help you make sure the things your will need for that day are prepared and that you do not miss out anything! You can even do this for your children by swapping it with their workbooks needed for that day! Definitely a time-saver!!

3. Tired of glue mess? Pour some glue over a sponge in an air tight container and this will minimize mess as the child will dab whatever he/she wants on the sponge and catastrophe will be avoided! Close the lid tight when you are done and you can use it the next round without the glue drying out! Saves a ton of glue too!

Simple tips and tricks like the ones above are only some of the many many ways your can organize your class for a better learning environment! Having a clean and organized area for the children to work with will definitely help make learning all the more exciting and fun! Do you have any tips and tricks that you would like to share? 

I do hope that these are helpful in making teaching fun and less stressful for everyone!

~May

Science Experiments Vids