5 Surprising Reasons Why Science is Important for Kids
Science is all around us. From our cell phones to our lights in our homes, modern life would not be possible without science. But science isn’t just important for our daily lives. It’s important for developing important skills, especially for children.
I’m Michael Kirschner. For the last ten+ years, I’ve delivered impactful school assemblies in New Jersey, Florida, New Ork, Pennsylvania, and other parts of the U.S. Each month I write articles like this one to help both parents and school administrators.
There is no question science benefits kids. But how? In this article, I’ll reveal four ways science helps kids, both in school and in daily life.
Why Science is Important for Kids #1: Problem-Solving
Because of the Scientific Method, we learn how to solve problems. Problem solving is a crucial life skill for kids throughout their lives, not just in science. When children learn how to problem solve, they become self-sufficient.
The Scientific Method may sound simple on paper – Ask, Guess, Do, Observe, Answer – but it’s a key part of children learning to solve problems on their own. Rather than simply asking their trusted adults to fix things for them, being able to problem solve sets up children with a key skill for the rest of their lives.
Another key part of problem-solving is research. When kids are interested in a topic, they naturally want to know more about it. When kids enjoy science, they enjoy doing more research on a topic to solve a problem. Research is an important skill children can use throughout their lives to discover solutions to problems.
Why Science is Important for Kids #2: Communication Skills
By learning effective communication skills, children – again – become more self-sufficient. Effective communication includes clear, concise language. Consider the simple sentence “hand me that over there.”
To the person saying it, sounds simple, right? But that sentence is rife with unspecified language. What “that?” Where exactly is “over there?” Effective science relies on specifics. And by learning to be specific with their communication, children learn to efficiently ask for what they want.
Communication goes both ways, too.
If someone asks your child to do something, their communication skills help them. First, kids learn to listen effectively. They learn to focus their attention on what the other person is saying. And they learn how to ask for clarification if they don’t understand something.
Why Science is Important for Kids #3: Observation Skills
Science teaches kids to focus their attention on something. All you need to do is watch your typical toddler in action to discover they have a bit of a focus problem! Science teaches key observation skills important for any child’s development.
By learning how to focus their attention, kids learn to observe things. This could be practically anything! By focusing their attention, kids observe how things work in the real world. Focusing their attention allows them to determine how a system is supposed to operate when everything is correct. They eventually learn to tell if something is wrong. By observing a functional system, they learn to compare it when something is ‘off.’
Why Science is Important for Kids #4: Create Interest in Science-Related Fields
By encouraging kids with scientific play, we stimulate them to take an interest in science-related careers. It’s no secret that with technology (especially digital technology) advancing at a staggering pace. High-paying and rewarding job opportunities abound.
Nurture an interest in science at an early age. Your child can benefit by becoming more well-rounded. With a strong grasp of science and education, your child will be in a position to take a path toward a career that rewards their efforts.
Why Science is Important for Kids #5: Reading Comprehension
It’s amazing to watch a child’s reaction when they are told their brain is a muscle! And like all muscles, it needs exercise to become stronger. Reading is one of the most effective ways to exercise your brain. And science is perfect for that!
When a child enjoys science, they read more. The more a child reads, the higher their reading comprehension and science by its very nature includes a wide array of terminology to describe scientific principles. Reading about experiments, background, and advances in science helps your child boost their reading skills.
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Want to get your entire school fired up about science? My “Supermarket Science” STEM assembly gets your kids directly involved in the action! With crazy experiments, kid-friendly humor, music, and interactive fun, your students will love this program. Find out more today!