Explorations

Kindergarteners will explore concepts in science, social studies, and health throughout the year. Students will learn through multisensory, open-ended explorations related to our themes: Fall: Knowing Myself and Others; Winter: Caring for Myself and Others; and Spring: Our Beautiful Earth. As students engage in imaginative and constructive play together, they will make sense of their world and learn to collaborate, think critically, problem-solve, and innovate.

• Play: Allow uninterrupted time for imaginative, constructive play both indoors and outdoors. Take walks outside to observe plants, animals, insects, and the weather. Encourage curiosity about the natural world. Visit www.tinkergarten.org for ideas. 

• Ask questions: Encourage your child to ask questions about things they observe or wonder about in nature or everyday life.

• Perform simple experiments: Conduct easy and safe science experiments at home, such as making a volcano with baking soda and vinegar or observing plant growth.

• Read books: Provide age-appropriate books about science topics that interest your child, such as animals, space, weather, or the human body and stories about historical figures, events, and different cultures. Visit the library to borrow books about science and social studies topics your child is interested in and read together to expand their knowledge.

• Visit museums, science and cultural centers: Take trips to local museums, zoos, aquariums, science centers or other cultural centers to explore exhibits related to different concepts on interest (click here for free and discounted passes to local museums from the Farmington Public Library).

• Use technology: Explore educational websites, videos, or apps that offer interactive science lessons or experiments suitable for your child's age.  Watch age-appropriate documentaries or shows that explore history, geography, and cultures.

• Encourage observation and recording: Teach your child to observe carefully and record their findings- through drawings, writing, or simple notes.

• Discuss scientific concepts: Engage your child in discussions about basic scientific concepts like cause and effect, changes over time, and the properties of different materials.

• Support hands-on learning: Provide opportunities for hands-on exploration with materials such as magnets, magnifying glasses, or simple science kits.

• Connect science to everyday life: Help your child see how science relates to their daily experiences, such as discussing the water cycle during rainy weather or talking about animal habitats.

• Encourage critical thinking: Ask open-ended questions that prompt your child to think critically about why things happen and how things work.

• Attend science events: Look for local science fairs, workshops, or community events where your child can engage with hands-on science activities and meet scientists or educators.

• Celebrate curiosity: Encourage your child's natural curiosity about the world around them and support their efforts to explore and learn.

• Get involved: Participate in community groups or clubs focused on history or cultural exchange.  Volunteer together for community projects to teach your child about civic responsibility and community involvement.

• Be a role model: Show enthusiasm for learning about science and social studies yourself and demonstrate how you investigate questions or learn new things.

By fostering a supportive environment and incorporating these activities into everyday life, parents can help nurture their child's interest in science and social studies and lay the groundwork for future exploration and understanding.