The Basic Science of Discovery - Enabling Children's Life with the Skills of Logic and Inquisitiveness
By Andrew Loh
Curiosity and the power to discover always go hand-in-hand and in perfect harmony. The greatest discoveries of the past have been the result of the factors of curiosity and inquisitiveness. Discoveries and inventions of the past have been possible because of numerous faculties of learning like science, adventure and exploration. However, the science of discovery is probably the most important entity of humankind, because it has been responsible for the discoveries of a number of events, natural wonders, applied science and others. Discussing about these inventions is beyond the scope of this article. However, teaching everyday science of discovery assumes the greatest importance as it is the cornerstone of our civilization.
Teaching everyday science of discovery is advantageous and beneficial. Some of the benefits of teaching science of discovery to your children include the following:
Teaching children spirit of science: Science and its basic principles lead to inventions and discoveries that in turn transform the life of ordinary men and women. Scientific temper is an essential part of daily life. Children who learn this temper are objective and fair in life. They can learn many things with a sense of fairness.
Teaching children imagination and curiosity: The power of imagination and curiosity are necessary for a growing child. Imagination is natural gift that comes automatically to all children. However, most of them never use that skill to enrich their lives. Teaching this great skill will help children become better learners and analysts, with an unusually ability to think ahead and predict events to their benefit.
Teaching children ability to investigate: Children, who learn everyday science of discovery will acquire the power of deduction, logic and investigation. They will learn their lessons with the basic approach of learning that depends on “why”, “when”, “where” and “how” part of life. These four issues are extremely important in life, as the learning process will be permanent and most effective.
Now, the question is what makes learning everyday science of discovery fun, thrill and exciting for your children? The learning science of discovery will be useful and interesting when the learning activity involves the following:
Hands-on approach that demands action from children: When children learn with their mind and body actively involved in the process, the entire process will be effective and permanent. A hands-on approach is a systematic and organized way of learning the science of discovery.
The ability to solve problems that eventually leads to immediate solutions: Any method should lead to the generation of problem-solving techniques and methods. Science of discovery is a powerful approach to find solutions to numerous underlying problems
The immediate invocation of “WOW”, “is it”, amazing”, “so cool”, “fantastic”, “WHAT” and other similar expressions: The learning process should be interactive and it should invoke interest and anticipation. When children learn the science of discovery, they should open up their minds with a sense of exclamation.
An approach that relies on systematic solutions: Any problem tackled should lead to synthesis of valid solutions those are practical and usable. Science of discovery helps your children do them.
Age appropriate learning process that fits the brain development stages of children: Whatever the process used, it should fit the mental age of the children. The science of discovery activities should match the brain developmental stage of the children.
Real-time and real-world investigative learning: The entire learning process should be real-time and real world. In other words, the science of discovery lessons should be real and practical. They should involve active participation from your children.
Investigations that are practical and that actually work: Many sciences of discovery learning procedures are practical and result oriented. Children who use this approach will feel happy and satisfied because they will be able to see the results with their own eyes.
Learning activities where children develop motivation and self-initiation: Children should develop motivation to work on their projects. Self-initiation is a mental condition, when the children feel that they should learn and develop their mental intelligence. Motivation leads to the development of an inner urge to learn lessons and projects.
Learning process that involves active experimentation: Learning any discipline involves active experimentation and practical techniques. Science of discovery usually involves active experimentation that invariably leads to answers, conclusions, hypotheses, inferences and deductions.
The science of discovery is essential part of life. Your children should be able differentiate between what is right from wrong, and what is good from the bad. Apart from developing the scientific and exploratory temper, your children will also become inquisitive, probing, investigative and exploratory. The power of imagination and inquisitiveness can come to your children only through the science of discovery. Continue to read The Basic Science of Discovery - How to Teach Your Children the Basics of Discovery.
|