Physical Science:
Use everyday examples: Point out the changes in matter around the house. For example, boiling water changes to steam (gas), or water turning into ice (solid).
Discuss characteristics of materials: Talk about the different properties of everyday materials (e.g., density, texture, hardness) and how they affect how matter is used.
Light and shadow experiments: Create shadows with a flashlight and discuss how the distance of the light source affects the size of the shadow. Discuss reflection, refraction, and absorption with mirrors or clear glasses of water.
Everyday motion observations: Discuss how different objects move around the house. For example, notice how a ball rolls (friction) or how a car speeds up (acceleration).
Simple experiments: Try rolling objects of different shapes and sizes down a ramp to explore how different surfaces affect motion. Measure the distance traveled and speed.
Explore energy sources: Discuss where we get energy from (like food, electricity, and the sun) and how energy is used around the house (e.g., turning on a light uses electrical energy).
Life Science:
What can you do to help?
Create a life cycle chart: Draw or create a model showing the stages of a plant’s or animal’s life cycle.
Explore local wildlife: If possible, observe animals in your local environment and track their growth and changes over time.
Discuss examples: Talk about inherited traits (e.g., how a child may inherit their eye color from their parents) versus learned behaviors (e.g., how a child learns to ride a bike).
Create family trees: Help your child create a family tree to identify inherited traits in the family.
Compare animals: Look at animals that exhibit inherited traits (like a dog’s coat color) and learned behaviors (like how birds learn songs).
Talk about ecosystems: Discuss how different environments (desert, forest, ocean) provide unique challenges and resources for organisms living there.
Earth Science:
What can you do to help?
Project ideas: Help your child start a simple project, like creating a recycling plan at home, or planting a tree to help reduce carbon emissions.
Watch documentaries or news stories: Find videos about human impacts on the environment and discuss what your child learned.
Learn about renewable and non-renewable resources: Help your child research and understand the difference between renewable and non-renewable resources. Discuss alternative energy sources like solar or wind power.
Hands-on experiments: Do a simple experiment showing how erosion works. For example, pour water over sand or dirt and observe how it changes the surface.
Use everyday examples: Talk about how the weather (atmosphere) affects plants (biosphere) or how water (hydrosphere) affects the land (geosphere) when it rains.
Interactive activities: Go on a nature walk and identify different Earth systems, like soil (geosphere), water (hydrosphere), or plants and animals (biosphere).