O is for Observation Skills

The A to Z Science series for toddlers and preschoolers at Inspiration Laboratories continues with the letter O. O is for Observation Skills.

Observation Skills

Making observations is an important science skill  and important life skill. Being aware of your surroundings, taking in information, and evaluating the situation are all examples of observation skills. An observation is a statement about the characteristics of something. We make observations with our senses – sight, hearing, taste, touch, smell.

Observation skills are one of the earliest science skills that kids employ. As a baby learns to use her senses, she is learning to make observations. She is collecting information about the world and storing it for later. In science, data collecting involves observing. What do you see? What do you hear? What does that feel like? What does it smell like? What does it taste like {if you are working with safe to eat materials}? We record our observations/data and can organize into tables and graphs.

Model for Them

With babies and toddlers, modeling observation making is as simple as talking to them about what you see, hear, smell, touch, and taste. This is also a great way to work on vocabulary and language skills.

Observation Activities

Here at Inspiration Laboratories, I have tagged 52 posts as observation activities. These activities obviously involve using your senses to make observations. Most science activities can involve observations, so consider how you can incorporate observation skills into your next science activity.

Here are 5 of my favorite science activities that involve making observations. They are super easy, require little setup, and you probably have the materials already on hand.

	Density Explorations – Observe what sinks or floats in a bowl of water. Equally fun as a bath time activity.
	Kitchen Chemistry – Explore mixtures and solutions with edible ingredients from your kitchen.
	Learn about kinetic energy and experiment the ramps – you can build a ramp out of so many things!
	Listening Skills – practice making observations with these 3 listening games.
	Recognize that children are natural scientists – create an invitation for them to explore and use science tools.
	Bonus: What Can You Learn from a Cardboard Tube? – This is one of my all time favorite toddler activities. Grab a large cardboard tube and explore.

Do you have a favorite activity for practicing observation skills?

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