Future Scientists

Invite your child to listen, look, touch, smell and taste with you. Their senses are their primary means of exploring their world.

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Tools and Materials

Use objects around the house and outdoors.

Steps to take

Provide your child with the words to identify sounds, textures (how things feel), sights, smells and tastes as they move about their day in general conversation.

At Home

If you have 3 minutes

  • Use words that describe the senses- the microwave buzzer was loud; a dog barking, someone whispering is soft, the spoon is smooth, pajamas are soft.
  • Invite your child to the kitchen, as you cook, have him smell ingredients like spices, fruits and vegetables. Ask your child to taste and tell you if it tastes sweet, salty, spicy or bitter.

If you have more time

  • Create a "mystery box" out of an empty tissue box and have your child reach in and guess what object is inside. Use objects of different textures (rough, smooth, soft, hard, slippery) and help your child identify these properties.
  • Put three items in front of your child. Have your child look at the items then close their eyes. Take one object away and see if your child can tell you what object you took away. Then let your child take away an object while you close your eyes.

On the Go

If you have 3 minutes   

  • Play "I-spy" with your child; describe an object in view and have your child guess what it could be. Take turns.

If you have more time

  • Sing songs with your child and change the song. Sing soft, loud, fast, slow; sing high and low.
  • Echo game -Make sounds and have child try to copy.
  • Observe and talk about the changes in the season (trees). Have your child describe the weather (is it hot, cold, dry, wet, windy). Listen to the sounds of animals and insects. Provide your child with a magnifying glass to explore.
  • Take a piece of paper and crayon outside to do a tree bark rubbing. Smell the plants outside- grass, flowers, trees.....
  • Collect materials from outside for the "mystery box" like sticks, rocks, seeds, pine-cones talk about how they feel to the touch.
     

Words to Know

Senses  Texture  Weather  Seasons

Possible Observations

Name various senses; use senses to explore materials; use descriptive words to describe sensory information (taste-sweet, salty, bitter; sound-loud, soft; touch-rough, smooth, cold, hot)