Here you'll find some tips to help you get the most out of the activities in this web site. Have fun!

General Tips

0. Try to ask children open-ended questions. These kind of questions help children talk about nature. For example, a useful open-ended question could be, "How would you describe this shell?"

1. There are many "correct" answers. When asking open-ended questions, remember that there is no one "correct" answer. There are many "right" answers. The goal is to have children and adults have a thoughtful discussion.

2. Praise thoughtful answers. If you ask a close-ended question (such as "What animal lives in that shell?" or "What color is that bird?"), any thoughtful answer could be praised. Even if the child's answer is inaccurate, you could say something like, "That was a great idea. You know, that is how scientists learn, by thinking and trying out different ideas."

3. Start from what the child knows already. When trying to get a thoughtful discussion going, start with what the child already knows about a topic. Use that information as a springboard for further exploration. Through discussion and exploration, children can expand and revise their knowledge about nature.

4. Explore together. If the topic is new to you as an adult helper, share this information with the child. You can make guesses and explore together. All science starts off with questions, not answers.

5. Science IS exploration and discovery. When you let children try out different theories, you help introduce them to the scientific method and start building research skills.

6. Explore a science book together. If a child is interested in a particular topic, you might want to follow up the activity reading a science book together and writing down what you have learned about the topic.

Examples of Open Ended Questions About Birds

When discussing the birds' feathers and beaks, you might begin by asking:

• How are the beaks/feathers different from each other?
• How are they the same?

You could also discuss the function of each beak. (For example, some beaks are long and pointed to facilitate burrowing.) You might ask questions such as:

• What shape is this bird's beak?
• Why do you think this bird's beak is ____? (skinny/long/sharp/small/etc.)
• What could the bird do with this kind of beak?
• What kinds of things do you think this bird might eat?

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