How to Get Your Children Interested in Science

When you were a child you most likely had some interest in science at some point. Children are naturally inquisitive and curious, and it is a common image, especially for boys, to see children playing with toy Dinosaurs, microscopes, or other chemistry sets. As children we are learning how the world works and using our incredible imagination to fill in the gaps. Thus when we learn that the world was once dominated entirely by giant monsters, or that there are other worlds floating in space millions of light years away and possible carrying other life forms... it's no wonder that this is all highly interesting.

However the unfortunate reality for many of us is that school then came along and stamped any interest in science out of us. At this point learning science is no longer option but compulsory – and that already will normally be enough to put anyone off. At the same time we are taught to learn about the parts of science that are just dull seeming at the time – we are taught to memories the periodic table, to learn lots about plants and to roll toy cars down planks and go 'wow, gravity'. This kind of learning unfortunately looks at the dry aspects of science while also underestimating the intelligence of your average child.

As a parent or teacher it is your job to ensure that this doesn't happen and to fuel your child's naturally inquisitive nature with stimulation. One way to do this is by buying them science based toys and gadgets to play with. Light microscopes here are one such great purchase – the reason being that it actually allows them to see something that they can't normally and to get practical, and that they are free to conduct their own experiments.

But just giving them light microscopes is not really enough, at the same time you should also be encouraging them to use them in the right way and teaching them about the wonders of what they are seeing. One thing you shouldn't do is to force them to look at anything they don't want to – but rather to let them follow their natural instincts. Putting leaves under microscopes for many kids just isn't interesting, so let them experiment themselves. A good method in a classroom might be to get them all to choose something to put under the microscope themselves. Likewise you should make sure to inform them about what they are seeing in a way that engages their imagination.

Take again the example of the periodic table. Do you remember at school learning the letters and the values? Now do you remember what any of those are? For most of us that teaching will have turned out to have been a waste of time – what would be better would have been to get us genuinely interested in the periodic table and then let us do the rest ourselves. It becomes self perpetuating. For example did you know that the only place that the elements can be made is in the heart of stars? And that the only place carbon is forged is in the heart of a dying red giant? That means that the particles that make up you are made from substances that were made in stars. Tell you child that and then give them their microscopes.

Giving kids microscopes is a great way to get them interested in science. Follow the links for a light microscope.