Is there a budding scientist in your family? Let's Review some ways to encourage children's curiosity in the world around them.
In our family we try as hard as possible to enkindle a sense of curiosity in our children and grandchildren. You just never know what exposing them to something they have never thought about might accomplish.
My other half is a retired Medical Technologist and his fascination with microscopes started when he was about 10 years old. Swamp water never looked so interesting as it did under the lights and lenses of a simple, yet very good beginner microscope.
How many of you have seen what a blade of grass looks like under a microscope?
 |
| This picture is taken from Nikon's Small World 2011 Photomicrography Contest. Dr. Donna Stoltz, University of Pittsburgh |
Now that our grandchildren are that age, he has revisited his love for seeing what the naked eyes can't. He bought himself a new microscope and some slide sets that he plans to introduce to our granddaughters and grandsons. We do get to spend some time with them when Mom and Dad are out of town. It's the perfect opportunity to broaden their horizons and spend some quality time with them too.
There are endless things that children can put under the lens and get a real up close look. Flower petals, pollens, cat or dog hairs, these are all things that children can see under the microscope. The amazing thing is that what they see through the lens is nothing at all like what they see with the naked eye. It takes "seeing" something to a whole new level.
Children are endlessly fascinated by the things around them and sometimes if you catch them at a point where they are looking for something different, you just might trigger the button for them to learn more and see differently.
The future of our planet will be in the hands of our children, and we will need some of those children to take an interest in seeing the world from the Macro and the Micro phases. Maybe one of them will be your child or grandchild.
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
FOLLOW US ON:
