Three things I know for certain: Science is everything, everything is science and building trust is important.
Messiah and I do variations of experiments often. We see how our scientific practices are included in the moments in everyday life. In this blog we will focus on How Trial and Error is connected to trust.
THE PROCESS IN WHICH WE LEARN
Children begin to build trust and create their own understanding of the world almost immediately after birth. Over the years I have witnessed all kinds of family dynamics and I have seen how little effort put in, gives less successes and less overall ease. Not all cases of course. DISCLAIMER: I am by no means saying guiding children is easy but there are ways to create spaces of ease within your daily life. This however take awareness and intention.
When you become aware, it’s difficult to stay the same.
Who doesn’t want to have a solid trusting relationship with their child/children? Well if you haven’t thought about it , it provides the foundation for stable and thriving adult life. Yeah, a must right?
Incorporating a “Science Eye’s View” if you will, is a great way to provide examples of trial and error, without judgement or persecution. I mean, it is science. If it didn’t work, change something and try again. Change something and try again. Those words alone invigorate me. As the parent or educator we must be focus on responding and not reacting. The response is going to provide direction for a better “next time”. However a reaction is going to ridicule, shame possible ignore or degrade a child. or person. Once we are in a place that we are responding we will reach successes with more ease, This makes Trial and Error( daily living) more about lessons and growing than about failures.
Tip#1 When engaging in an activity or are simply interacting through observation and conversation, look for the things that are going well. Comment on those things first. Remind the child or person that they are good. They aren’t bad because of a mistake, and with conversation it now becomes a lesson. Yep, just like that!
Often parents ignore what is going well, With the focus on the things that aren’t going well we end up teaching without words, that the child or person is less important and/or flawed. We all know how this shows up in adults. We are breaking cycles and ascending. Life truly is to0 short for us to only acknowledge the unwell things. If there is danger or a negative result is a chance for us to breathe,address the issue, breathe some more, communicate, reflect, accept the lesson and keep living.. Because it truly is all good.
The goal is not to react negatively when errors are made. Instead, we breathe, The same in science. We are here to learn, not to be perfect. Soon we will have learned from our trials and be making new mis-takes or errors. Can we move away from “My Bad” and safely recognize “My mis-take”?
Just like in a movie, the actors practice until they get it right. Take 1 is very often not the shot that is used. We don’t boo the actors for their mis-takes, but we honor them for the final outcome( unless the production was poorly done altogether lol) Our children will begin to adapt to this new thinking and the ease of building trust is restored, the ease of trying and mis-taking is gained and no matter what we win. Science experiments, engagements, or conversations are loaded with opportunities to make our families, communities and world a more enjoyable place. Tapping into science is a new way of Parenting. Could it be yours?
Our duty is to be the Optimistic Scientists, ready to try again and keep learning.
This is why we love science. It offers so many lessons, opportunities for quality time, conversation, and laughter, We don’t look at error as a bad thing, we grow from errors. If you can demonstrate this during Science experiments you can most definitely implement it in your classroom and at home. Children are inquisitive and innovative when given the space and the tools. The work really does itself.
We encourage you to jump into science, simple, pure and intentional.
You won’t be disappointed.
Blessings of Love and Science,
Maji and Messiah
Stuck at where to begin???
Start simple:
Try: Pouring water from cup to cup in the kitchen sink.
This activity starting around 10 months old in the bathtub will give you a headstart with your child holding and drinking out of cups;if they aren’t already.
Want to get fancy???
Try: Adding glitter.
Try: Letting your child pour the water in a bottle and shake it to see the glitter move.
(I do not suggest glitter or food coloring with a baby.) Toddlers, Yes!
Try: Oil, food coloring and water.
Let your child pour them n a bottle. Secure the bottle top and watch the liquids react.
Also Try:
Baking Soda and Vinegar,
Dental Cleaner and food coloring,
Dish soap and water,
For older children:
Make Soup, add all of the seasonings and cut up vegetables.
Ice Cream in a Bag
Dinosaur Toothpaste
We would love to hear from families who are interested in becoming Optimistic Scientists!
Thanks for stopping by Have fun Sciencing.
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