Please welcome my guest blogger today, Catherine Ross of Kids Learning Games!
There are plenty of websites that provide science news for kids. With the latest updates on research findings, cool inventions, and scientific expeditions in various fields, these websites provide scientific content that would interest kids in a manner that they can understand. Scientific news stories are always interesting, and it is understandable that the public would want to read about them.
But why all the focus on kids? How much difference does it make to a ten-year-old what Curiosity is doing on Mars? There are various ways in which kids can benefit by staying up to date on the latest science news stories. Here are just a few of them.
It promotes scientific thinking.
When you were growing up, you were taught that there are nine planets in the solar system. But then a few years ago, the definition of a planet was refined, and Pluto didn’t make the cut. Science news stories for kids, as well as adults, all proclaimed the big development, newer science textbooks made a small correction to their chapter on the solar system and kids today are taught that there are only eight planets in our solar system.
This change in what was always accepted as a scientific ‘fact’ does not just mean that today’s kids have one less planet to memorize. It means that every single thing we accept as a ‘fact’ is open to questioning. When your child sees a story like this appear in their daily dose of science news for kids, it makes them realize that they don’t have to accept any ‘fact’ as absolute truth.
It encourages them to question their understanding of the universe and to look for answers to things that they don’t understand. These are two behaviors that are at the base of all scientific thinking and inquiry.
It encourages inventiveness.
Websites that publish science news for kids often have stories about cool new inventions and ideas for future inventions. Reading about these imaginative ideas encourages children to think out of the box. It teaches them that there is always room for a better idea. It helps them realize that they don’t have to be satisfied with the gadgets and machines already at their disposal; they can always come up with an improvement that will make the quality of life even better for their fellow humans.
It encourages kids to make healthy lifestyle choices.
Scientists are always doing research in the field of health and medicine, and their findings regularly make their way to the science news for kids column. These news stories deal with topics like the benefits of eating certain types of food, the importance of getting regular sleep and exercise, and the negative effects of reduced outdoor play. Kids who are exposed to such news stories on a regular basis are more inclined to making healthy lifestyle choices on their own.
It encourages kids to take care of the environment.
Reading science news for kids informs children about the changes happening to the Earth as a result of man’s irresponsible actions. Kids learn what kinds of behavior are harmful to the Earth’s ecosystems and how drastic the resulting changes are. They are also kept informed about alternative lifestyles and products that help reduce man’s burden on the planet. This type of information equips children to make better choices and help save the planet.
It increases scientific vocabulary and understanding.
When discussing scientific concepts, people all over the world use a set of commonly accepted terms. By reading science news for kids, children familiarize themselves with these terms and their meanings and increase their scientific vocabulary. Also, by reading about the experiments and experiences of scientists, kids get an increased understanding of the scientific world and various science concepts.
Fortunately for parents, it doesn’t take much to get children reading science news for kids. Just find a website that publishes interesting science news stories edited for kids, show your kids a few of the fascinating science stories, and let them know where you found them. Very soon, you will have your kids keeping you up to date on the latest science stories from the website.
Catherine Ross is a full-time stay-at-home mum who believes learning should be enjoyable for young minds. An erstwhile elementary school teacher, Catherine loves coming up with creative ways through which kids can grasp the seemingly difficult concepts of learning easily. She believes that a ‘fun factor’ can go a long way in enhancing kids’ understanding and blogs at Kids Learning Games.
Science for Kids Resources:
Time Magazine for Kids: Science
DOGO News: Fodder for Kids (Science)
Scientific American Book Club for Kids
Bring Science Home from Scientific American
p.s. Related posts:
STEM Science Project: DIY iPhone Microscope
5th Grade Science Project: Rube Goldberg Machine
7th Grade Model of Cell Science Project
5th Grade Cloud Science Project
Homopolar Motor: Clean Energy Science Project for 5th Grade
Science Projects for Middle School Kids
Exciting Science Ideas for Kids: Science Project Ideas!
Science Project: How a Knock on the Head Causes a Concussion
Follow PragmaticMom’s board Science Fun on Pinterest.
Follow PragmaticMom’s board Parenting Village on Pinterest.
Follow PragmaticMom’s board Children’s Book Activities on Pinterest.
My books:
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World
- Junior Library Guild Gold selection
- Massachusetts Book Award Long List
- Selected as one of 100 Outstanding Picture Books of 2023 by dPICTUS and featured at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair
- Starred review from School Library Journal
- Chicago Library’s Best of the Best
- 2023 INDIES Book of the Year Awards Finalist
- Green Earth Book Award Long List
- Imagination Soup’s 35 Best Nonfiction Books of 2023 for Kids
Amazon / Barefoot Books / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Amazon / Scholastic / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Great post. I think kids are born scientists, and the more exposure they get to science growing up, the better!
Hi MaryAnne,
That is sad if girls especially start out as scientists but somehow lose their interest but I think you are right. Kids are naturally curious and that is the essence of science: asking questions and finding answers.
Glad you liked it, Mary Anne. Kids sure are born scientists, and I believe learning some basic Science even at a relatively young age can hold them in good stead later on in life. This way they can form their own opinions, rather than taking those of others for granted.
Hi Catherine,
I’m glad that they are teaching science in middle school these days more based on inquiry; posing questions and finding answers. It’s definitely capture my daughter’s interest and my oldest hated science until she was exposed to this type of classroom environment. Science can often be posed as Here is a Pile of Facts to Memorize but that’s a turnoff and not really what science is about. Thanks for your great post Catherine!
This made for a very interesting read..never imagined there would be something such as science news for ‘kids’ alone. It would be helpful though if you could mention some websites as well which have the same.
Hi Angie,
Thanks for your great comment. I’ve listed some websites for kids at the bottom of the post. I hope you find the links helpful!
So refreshing to see that parents can an active role in breaking out from gender stereotypes and encourage a sense of discovery and healthy curiosity in kids. I’ve been seeing videos pop up all over the place about making science toys for little girls etc. Great post Catherine!
Hi Corinne,
I’m excited about those girl oriented science toys and a push to get girls interested in science, math and engineering. Neither of my girls got totally into STEM and now they are middle school. We didn’t keep up with science news so I think that would have helped.
That’s why I buy educational toys for my kids and not stereotypical ones.
Hi Christopher James,
That’s a great reason!
I think this is a great post! Science is for nerds. You know that, right? Growing up, kids would say to me, I’m not good at science- and that would be that. Who is in the background reinforcing these ideas? We as parents need to encourage our kids, even if we don’t have a huge understanding ourselves. I think that’s the problem. Somehow, we think, well…I got along fine in life, so they don’t need it.
Wrong thinking.
Science is ESSENTIAL. Math is ESSENTIAL. It’s the way our world is going.
The homeschoolers think I’m a nut – a radical even.
I think that children should definitely pursue their interests…indeed. Being well rounded is a good thing. Who knows, the kids may love science – even if their parents don’t. Or, they may not like it now, but find a love further down the road. Who knows. Interests change, ideas change. I think this is an excellent means for exposure. I’m sharing this post.
Sorry to ramble on and on and on.
Hi Lisa,
You are preaching to the choir! It’s especially important, I think, to encourage girls to connect with science, especially by showing them that it’s about discovery and not about memorization.
I’m so glad that you are spreading the gospel! Thank so much for sharing!!!