Science for kids: Is there a doctor in the house?
From a young age, children are curious about their bodies. As they learn to speak, young children enjoy being able to point to and identify their own parts. Teaching children about their anatomy is a fun and easy activity that can be done at home with very accessible materials: themselves!
Not only does this become an educational effort, but in the event of an accident, a child will be able to describe where they have been hurt.
Preschoolers probably have a pretty good idea of what constitutes their exterior. Due to repeated questions from parents – Where are Luke’s teeth? Where is his nose, etc., three-year-olds are well versed in his general makeup. There are songs that can also help with this. A very popular tune among toddlers and preschoolers: “Head and shoulders, knees and toes…eyes, ears, mouth and nose” draws attention to the total body and its facial components.
Lessons on joints, such as elbows, ankles, and wrists, can also be absorbed by the preschool set. As your child gets a little more proficient with more complex vocabulary, try substituting the actual anatomical names for these body parts into the song: “Skull, humerus, patella, phalanges,” etc. It’s silly, but everyone can laugh and learn at the same time.
Inside your child, there is another world worth exploring! Children ages 3 to 5 can appreciate that their brain, the part that makes them smart, sits inside their head and looks like a cauliflower.
On his left chest, you’ll notice, is his heart that makes an interesting beating sound. Inexpensive stethoscopes that really work can be purchased at most of the best toy stores, and kids love listening to everyone’s heart with these.
Older children may appreciate that they breathe with the help of two sacs in their chest called lungs.
Also, tap on the knees, elbows, skull, etc. of his five-year-old son, and explain to him that these hard things are called ‘bones’ and that they help him stand up straight. Remind them to drink lots of milk to keep these bones strong.
You get the idea. Even if his own education didn’t include an anatomy course, you’ll find that he knows more than he thinks! So pass it on to your children. They will love learning what motivates them!
© 2003 -2008 Science With Me® LLC. All rights reserved.
You are free to use this article, in whole or in part, as long as you include the full contribution, including a link to the live website. Also, send me an email notifying me (Elva O’Sullivan at [email protected]) where and when the material will appear. Thanks.
Visit our website =>http://www.sciencewithme.com
Initial reactions that last a lifetime!
