Nurturing a Love of Science in the Early Years
- Carly S
- 21 hours ago
- 3 min read
We had a fantastic time celebrating British Science Week at House on the Dials recently!
When we think of science, it’s easy to picture lab coats, experiments, and complex ideas. But for young children, science is much simpler—and far more magical. It’s about exploring, observing, and trying to understand the world around them. Whether it’s watching raindrops trickle down a window, building a tower that wobbles, or asking endless “why?” questions, children are naturally engaging with science every day.
In the early years, science isn’t about memorising facts. It’s about encouraging curiosity. By supporting children to ask questions, notice changes, and test their ideas, we’re helping them build strong foundations—not just for science, but for all areas of learning, including STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths).
During British Science Week, our preschool children became little scientists as they explored volcanoes. They worked together to build their own and were delighted to watch it erupt! There was also plenty of experimenting with “potions,” as children mixed coloured water and petals to see what would happen. Another favourite activity was exploring oobleck, where they discovered how it can behave like both a solid and a liquid depending on how it’s handled.
Everyday Science Through Play
Science isn’t limited to special events—it’s part of children’s everyday experiences in the nursery. We gently weave scientific exploration into play in lots of different ways, such as:
Building and creating - Using blocks, construction toys, and recycled materials, children design and build structures, testing how strong or tall they can make them
Practical investigations- Activities like melting ice, planting seeds, mixing colours, or blowing bubbles help children explore cause and effect.
Water and messy play - From testing which objects float or sink to experimenting with pouring and mixing, children learn through hands-on investigation.
Sensory exploration - Using tools like magnets, torches, and magnifying glasses encourages children to experience the world in new and exciting ways.Outdoor discovery - Children explore nature by looking for minibeasts, feeling different textures like bark, and noticing how the weather and seasons change.
Cooking experiences - Simple cooking activities allow children to observe changes, such as mixtures rising, setting, or changing texture.
Through these playful opportunities, children develop important skills including observation, prediction, problem-solving, teamwork, and communication—all while enjoying themselves.
Easy Science Activities to Try at Home
You don’t need special equipment to explore science at home. Here are a few simple ideas you can try together:
Nature walks - Gather natural items like sticks, stones, or leaves and compare how they look and feel.
Colour mixing fun - Use food colouring or coloured ice to explore how new colours are created.
Shadow play- Use a torch or sunlight to create shadows and notice how they change
Frozen discoveries - Freeze small toys in water and experiment with different ways to release them.
Sink or float - Collect everyday objects and see what happens when you place them in water.
Exploring sound - Fill glasses with different levels of water and gently tap them to hear different tones.
Why Early Science Experiences Matter
Introducing science from a young age helps children develop curiosity, confidence, and resilience. It encourages them to explore, ask questions, and learn through trial and error. These skills are not only important for science but support children in all areas of learning and development.
At House on the Dials, we see science as part of everyday wonder. Every question, every experiment, and every discovery helps children grow into curious, capable learners who are excited to explore the world around them.
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