Jun 19

Can we make astronomy for kids an easy subject?

Astronomy for children No Comments »

What is astronomy? Most of the children ask this question while we say something about space or physics. Astronomy is a branch of physics.

It studies about the celestial bodies. Most of the children love to learn this science because it induces the curiosity. A good teacher can use astronomy for kids to teach them how to read and understand science; perhaps astronomy can be considered as the window to the world of science. Stars, comets, satellite, solar system etc. always finds a place in the imagination of a kid.

Most of the kids may wonder when they realize the ‘size’ of the universe. Astronomy for kids starts from an answer to the question; what is space? There are lots of definitions available for the term ‘space’. However, anything that is beyond the atmosphere of our planet, earth, is considered as space.

A kid who is interested in astronomy definitely raises a question, how big our universe is. Because, children are very much interested in colours, size, number etc. The answer is crucial for kids in order to stimulate the interest with the subject astronomy. Actually, scientists have put forward lots of theories about the size of the universe. We can explain to the kid about the infinity theory and big bang theory to make astronomy for kids interesting. So, we are sure in one thing that we do not know the size of the universe. The most extreme object that we see is about 30,000 light years far. We can gently ask the kid to find out how big the universe is. It really sharpens the curiosity of the child about universe and makes astronomy for kids something enjoyable.

Does the universe have an end? Or being it eternal? Ask such questions to the kid, and encouraging them to find the answer is definitely useful. There are hundreds of books available in the market about astronomy for kids. Providing these books to kids is useful. There are lots of softwares available in the market to teach astronomy. If children are getting in touch with such softwares, they would be able to visualize the universe with the help of pictures and videos included in the software.

Explaining astronomy to a kid is obviously a tough task. The elders must include interesting stories and poems while explaining astronomy for kids. They can explain about the stars, black hole, a comet, and so on. Showing pictures, telling some stories from mythology etc. helps the kid to grasp the nuances of astronomy.

Interested in the moon, the planets and the stars? A new astronomy website is taking the planet by storm - get the latest findings and moon data 100% FREE today! Visit www.celestial-wonders.co.uk - it’s out of this world!

Tags: , ,

May 15

Astronomy for Children - Teaching Children through Astronomy

Astronomy for children No Comments »

Astronomy is perhaps the best science for teaching children. Astronomy-themed learning projects can help teach children not only astronomy but many subjects–reading, writing, math, history, geometry, chemistry, art, photography, etc.

Almost any area of knowledge can be integrated into a children’s astronomy class or workshop. Children are not only learning the fascinating subject of astronomy that has engaged children of all ages for centuries–the solar system, the planets, the stars, the nebula, the comets, the galaxies, the spaceships and space marvels, the telescopes–but astronomy can be the coordinating art and science.

There are many children’s astronomy websites online and also books that include experimental projects, data research projects, telescope projects (including “make your own telescope”). Astronomy can also teach children how to think and analyze. Writing can be taught via keeping astronomy journals.

Recommended websites for children online are:

Kids Astronomy
http://www.kidsastronomy.com

StarChild: A Learning Center for Young Astronomers http://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/StarChild.html

Other children’s astronomy websites can be easily found via your favorite search engine. Astronomy-oriented toys, “space toys” and science kits are available. Also calendars, posters, prints. Children can be encouraged to design their own posters and art prints, their own “astrographics.” Astronomy books and software may be found at Amazon.com and The Astronomy Store, http://www.astronomystore.zoomshare.com. There are also telescope stores that have novice telescopes for young astronomers.

As for astronomy software, there are a wide range of astronomy software which can be educational. Some of this software is especially designed for children, such as Sesame Street Ernie’s Adventures in Space and Zoom Astronomy–Enchanted Learning Software. Astronomy news can also be found online.

Dover Publisher sells solar system stickers, sun, moon, and stars stickers and easy to do experiments, including “science for children” coloring books. Again, children can be encouraged to create their own stickers, coloring books, and computer graphics and astronomy and space clip art.

So when teaching children art, writing, math or any subject, think astronomy, which has engaged children of all ages for ages.

Susan Shaw is a freelance writer of web content on the subjects of film, business, and science. She is an affiliate of The Book Store/The Science Library & The Astronomy Library, http://thebookstore.vstoremarket.com/index.htm (For The Science Library, put “Science” in their search engine. For The Astronomy Library, put “Astronomy” in their search engine.)

Tags: ,