Q is for Questions

Q is the next letter in the A to Z Science series for toddlers and preschoolers at Inspiration Laboratories. Q is for Questions.

A lot of the activities I share come about because of play. Aiden has a certain set of materials out and is busy playing when I see an opportunity to add in some extra learning. {His original play idea already has some learning involved. Kids learn a lot through play.} The same idea holds true for our science activities. Many of them are sparked by Aiden’s interest and often a question he has asked. Science is all about studying the natural world. Studying begins by asking questions.

What Happens When…? or What Will Happen If…?

These are two of my favorite science questions. They involve cause and effect and can lead to great experiments and discoveries. What happens when we add baking soda to vinegar? What will happen if we place ice on various surfaces? They are the perfect questions for making predictions {and creating testable hypotheses}.

Comparison Questions

Many kid science questions lead you to compare things. Which is faster? Which is heavier? Which will do ___ first? I talk about making comparisons and give several example experiments in this collection of Preschool Science Experiments. Comparison questions usually lend well to creating bar graphs.

Hard to Answer Questions

Some kid questions are not very testable or it is difficult for a child to discover the answer on his own. I asked on Facebook about the latest science question your child asked. The questions were typical kid questions and showed great thinking skills, but most of them were not easily testable. In these cases, you can look the answers up and learn new information. Or you can try to change the question into something that is testable or easier for them to discover on their own. Does your child’s question make you think of a related experiment you can do? Use your child’s interest in the topic to pose a new question.

A List of Science Questions for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Here are some easy science questions and resulting experiments for you to try with your toddler or preschooler.

	*How far can a car push a block?* Set up a cars and blocks measuring experiment to find out.
	How far can you jump? In J is for Jumping Experiment, we test how far each person can jump and compare different types of jumps.
	Which car travels the fastest down the ramp? Learn about kinetic energy in this simple science experiment.
	*Which ingredient will react with baking soda?* Try this fun baking soda experiment and find out.
	Which will melt first? This snow science experiment tests snow {or ice} in different locations.
	What happens when water is added to snow {or ice}? Answer the question in this snow and water science experiment.
	Which type of material makes a better parachute? Make parachutes testing this question or several others.