Why Learning Science at a Young Age is so Important

Human beings are wired to wonder about everything around them, to question, understand, and gain knowledge about all the facets contributing to the inner workings of our world. The same can be said for young children. Children are not taught how to discover, they are simply drawn to the mystery of everything surrounding them. Through play, touch, and exploration, young children develop the ability to question, ponder, and produce answers to their own never-ending questions.

Studying science at a young age is therefore important as it presents an opportunity for children to immerse themselves in their own curiosities, providing answers to the many questions they have, whilst also allowing them to embrace and feed their inquisitive minds.  

The first thing to understand when discussing the benefits of studying science at a young age is the valuable influence it has on all other aspects of the learning process. Exposing children to scientific concepts promotes the development of communication skills and encourages the nurturing of resilience and perseverance as students are presented with new and unfamiliar concepts. Science introduces children to a more thought-provoking form of learning from a young age, outside the traditional English and mathematics based study, whilst also maintaining elements of fun and freedom that are important when encouraging children to learn. Other benefits are explored below:

Helps children answer their own questions

Children are extremely inquisitive, and will often ask many questions:

• ‘Why is the sky blue?’
• ‘Why do I have brown hair?’
• ‘What is the moon made out of?’

These types of questions are all part of the growing up process, and whilst many parents are more than happy to provide a quick answer, science offers a wonderful alternative. It allows children to do their own investigating, exploring, and searching for answers to the many questions they ask in their day-to-day lives. Asking questions, and finding solutions, encourages the development of excellent critical thinking skills, which will become more and more important as children progress through school.

Encourages a lifelong love for science

One of the most inspiring reasons to introduce science into your child’s education from a young age is it can lead to a wonderful lifelong love for the subject. Engaging in their environment, and finding correlations between how things relate to each other in the real world, can really open up your child’s thinking. It shapes the formation of their view of the world, allowing them to appreciate multiple perspectives based upon observation and evidence. This passion for learning could then lead to a future IGCSE, IB, university degree, or career selection – who knows!

Offers opportunities for hands-on experience

Whilst classroom based learning is always a stable and consistent way to educate children, it is also tremendously beneficial for them to take a break from books and enjoy some hands-on learning. Science lessons can be experiential and interactive; from looking at the planets and stars, to the biology of plants and insects, and the creation of new materials in a lab. Studying science introduces children to a new style of learning, reinforcing to them that it is possible to learn in many different ways.

Promotes healthy learning habits

Overall, science is a wonderful addition to a child’s education. From fun and exciting experiments, to the study of complex concepts, science lessons are a simple yet effective way to further enrich your child’s learning journey. By providing opportunities for children to develop their own theories, thoughts, opinions, and ideas, you are encouraging your child to develop healthy learning habits and fuelling their enthusiasm and wonder when it comes to education and lifelong learning.