Here are 6 good books that should adequately point that young, budding scientist to the right direction: The Everything Kids Science Experiments Book, Hands-On Physics Experiments (Activity Book, Grades K-2), Einstein’s Science Parties: Easy Parties for Curious Kids, The Everything Kids Nature Book, Experiments in Science: How Does It Work?, and Literacy Centers for Science Skills.
Curiosity about science is something to develop and/or encourage in kids. As in a lot of things, an early start, specifically in kindergarten, is a great start, and science fairs are a great place to let loose the budding scientist. To get the young student on the right track, here are some books that should point him or her to a good direction and may serve as a teacher’s guide to science fair projects.
1. The Everything Kids Science Experiments Book
Written by high school and math teacher Tom Robinson, who has also co-authored an online advance placement physics course.In this book, your kindergartner can explore the following problems:
- Is it possible to blow up a balloon without actually blowing into it?
- What is inside coins?
- Can a magnet ever be “turned off”?
Expect to invest $8.95 if you buy it at Amazon or Adams Media Bookstore.
2. Hands-On Physics Experiments (Activity Book, Grades K-2)
Written by Cherie Winner, with illustrations by Gary Mohrman, and published by School Specialty Publishing. Aimed at teachers, but parents and mentors can use this to point a kindergartner in the direction of a promising science fair project. Experiments cover properties of objects and materials; position and motion off objects; and light, heat, electricity, and magnetism. The book’s a bit tricky to find, but it’s listed in teachersparadise.com, priced $10.77.
3. Einstein’s Science Parties: Easy Parties for Curious Kids
Written by Shar Levine and Allison Grafton, it’s filled with fun activities intended to cater to kids’ curiosity and give the budding scientist good foundation. Exploring fossils and dinosaurs, bubbles, and edible experiments should hold their interest. Available in Amazon and priced at $12.95.
4. The Everything Kids Nature Book
Create clouds, make waves, defy gravity, and so much more. Kathiann M. Kowalski’s book contain activities that should be very exciting for the outdoorsy kid. There are chapters that focus on life in the forest, tropical rain forests, grasslands, deserts, and surviving in cold climate. Amazon carries this title at $7.95.
5. Experiments in Science: How Does It Work?
Written by David Glover, this boasts of experiments with electricity, forces and movements, light and color, and sound and music. Expect answers to questions regarding how kites fly and whether sunlight can bounce. One place to get this is Amazon, for $21.99.
6. Literacy Centers for Science Skills
Activities in this book target standards in such areas as organisms and their environments, properties of matter, scientific method, and water cycle. Activities involve such things as ladybugs, spiders, coral reefs, shadows, lakes and rivers, stars, and so on. It’s available in both book ($23.99) and e-book ($21.99), both you can get from Teacher Created Resources.
While kindergarten-age kids should be encouraged to explore to feed their scientific curiosity, it’s important to keep in mind that their safety is ensured. Adult supervision is especially necessary when the experiments involve chemicals, sharp objects, and other materials that might cause injury. Guidance and encouragement should go a long way. A brilliant scientist might just be some years and science fair projects away.
