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Learning Tip: Why? is a great question

Thomas Edison's father once said that he had "a question mark for a son." His remark suggests that every scientist has curiosity in abundance. Curiosity and inquisitiveness is the foundation for a scientific education. To nurture a spirit of curiosity in your child, try these approaches:

  • Ask your child lots of "what happens if" questions. What happens if you put a plant in the cupboard? Can it grow without sunlight? What happens if you put a full glass of water on a sunny shelf for two weeks?
  • Investigate how things work by taking them apart. Start with simple household objects such as a candle, flashlight or ballpoint pen. Continue with investigations of plants and foods. Take apart a leaf, looking at its veins, the stem and how it is attached to the plant. Why is an oak leaf different from a maple leaf? Why do their colours change in autumn?