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Tips for parents

How to expose children to science

10 December 2021

Last month, our students had the chance to visit the Montreal Science Centre, where they had the chance to explore the science behind motion, air, light, water, geometry and matter. They even experimented with codes in highly interactive spaces filled with all sorts of things that surprised them, astounded them, and even made them laugh. At Académie Marie-Claire, our programs are designed to cultivate an appreciation of the sciences in students from preschool to high school. Marie-Claire is at the forefront of science and technology. It’s the first elementary school equipped with a state-of-the-art science lab where students can conduct their own experiments. Schools and parents both have a huge role in watering the seeds of knowledge and encouraging curiosity in children. Here are some ways parents can expose their children to sciences.

The Importance of Observation

By encouraging your children to observe, ask questions, experiment, think and seek their own understandings of natural and human-made phenomenons, you can highlight the importance of exploration and teach them how to think properly from an early age. By doing so, you are essentially planting the seed of curiosity in their hearts early on. The seed can come into fruition by the time they grow up.

Doing House Chores

The next step is to guide your child through exploring their analytical and creative thinking by providing them with real tasks to do such as cooking, helping with household chores, gardening, repairing a bike (or any other household object), planning a trip and other everyday activities. By actively engaging with your child and discussing what they have learned from their chores, you help them expand their knowledge and skill set more efficiently. You can also provide artificial resources such as books, video games, and online courses to help them develop their cognitive skills.

School’s role

Schools have always been the most reliable place for scientific learning and exploration of the real world. From preschool through college, the main objective of a serviceable school is to foster a deep appreciation of the sciences as well as the reinforcement of the quest for objective knowledge about the world among students. Parents can encourage their children to seek out more opportunities to spend quality time with different teachers by volunteering in classrooms, accompanying them on field trips, and serving on similar committees.

The latest technology and equipment (from computer language learning and coding tools to robotics equipment and more) are at the disposal of our students and teachers, so they can go beyond the limits of the preset teaching plans. Thanks to the Young Professionals program that we’ve conceived and implemented at Académie Marie-Claire, the students can direct their own paths in applied sciences. This program initiates students into different professions. For example, students get to learn how to use some medical equipment so they can better understand the scope of the responsibilities and professional duties as potential future doctors.

Further readings:

https://www.learningliftoff.com/how-to-teach-kids-science-and-why-its-important/

https://www.parents.com/kids/education/math-and-science/5-ways-to-raise-a-science-lover/

https://www.naeyc.org/our-work/families/support-science-learning

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