So in my last post here I “kept it real” and shared a bit about my struggles as a pregnant, work-at-home, homeschooling wife and mom. I said this about our current homeschooling set-up:
Right now, I don’t teach the kids science. Yup, this is me #keepingitreal again! I *try* to but I haven’t been very consistent with it lately.
However, I have found that there are other ways for the kids to learn science concepts — ways that are even more fun than the usual way I teach them (which should change, I know, but I’m a work in progress!).
So what exactly are those ways to make learning science fun for kids? Here are three of them:
1. Let someone else teach it.
Yup, you read that right. *Gasp* Let someone else teach it? But then you wouldn’t be homeschooling your kids, right?! Wrong! Read this post and be enlightened (I certainly was!).
Currently, the kids are attending classes (organized by The Learning Basket) at The Parenting Emporium every Friday.
From my Instagram account (Follow me there! ) :)
Weekly science lessons? Check! “Socializing” with other kids? Check! Fun, hands-on learning? Check! Woooohoooo! 😉
2. Use (parent-approved) videos.
*Gasp* again, right?! Use screen time to teach “lessons”? Gosh! Am I a “bad” homeschooler/non-intentional parent if I do this? No. You (and I!) just need to be intentional in the way we use screen time and gadgets and technology — and in the “rules” we set for our kids’ use.
In our home, on “schooldays” (usually, Mondays to Fridays), the kids are only allowed to watch certain videos. These include “faith-themed” and saint videos from our small collection (will write another post about these!), and pre-approved YouTube videos like Magic Schoolbus, Wild Kratts and Bill Nye the Science Guy.
Source: pbs.org
The aforementioned YouTube videos “teach” a lot of science concepts, many of which I never directly taught the kids! They have also learned quite a few animal facts from Wild Kratts! 🙂
3. Read (non-textbook) books.
We have a growing library of books at home, and I try to add to it slowly by investing in different kinds of books. Among our investments are “non-textbook” books that are still rich in concepts and can be used as “teaching tools.”
For books with a little bit of science for kids, below are a few recommendations. Get these books one by one, and pretty soon your kids soon will have a greater interest in different science topics. Who knows — they might even wish to be a real scientist one day! 🙂
1. Island: A Story of the Galápagos by Jason Chin
This book is well-researched and filled with stunning and beautiful paintings. Everything in it makes learning for children more pleasant, and the book also depicts the epic “saga” of the life of an island!
2. The Moon Book by Gail Gibbons
This book is full of different facts about the moon, including eclipses and its various phases. Its beautiful illustrations make it a more pleasant read as well — a perfect way to introduce kids to the moon, “the earth’s natural satellite.”
3. How to Dig a Hole to the Other Side of the World by Faith McNulty, Marc Simont
This book, illustrated by Caldecott Medal winner Marc Simont, teaches and shows kids what it would be like if you were to travel an 8,000-mile journey through the earth. A fun, interesting read that even adults will surely enjoy! 🙂
4. The Skeleton Inside You by Philip Balestrino, True Kelley
This “Let’s-Read-and-Find-Out-Science” book is a great way to teach your kids about the human skeleton — including ligaments, joints, and bones. Published in 1989, it’s still a valuable learning tool for the kids of this generation.
Tip: If you’re looking to expand your library at home on a budget — whether or not you homeschool — you can scour used bookstores for books. You can also try searching local libraries and borrowing books. Another option is to buy books using coupons, like those from ChameleonJohn.com (although there is no special coupon for books, you can use other coupons. For example: Use the ‘on all purchases’ coupon to get a discount on books too.)
Do you have other suggestions for making learning science “fun” for kids? (Yes, even if you’re NOT a homeschooler!) Please feel free to share your ideas in the comments! 🙂
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