Children start out as natural scientists, eager to look into the world around them. Helping
them enjoy science can be easy; there's no need for a lot of scientific terms or expensive lab
equipment. You only have to share your children's curiosity. Firstly, listen to their questions.
I once visited a classroom of seven-year-olds to talk about science as a job. The children
asked me "textbook questions" about schooling, salary and whether I liked my job. When
I finished answering, we sat facing one another in silence. Finally I said, "Now that we're
finished with your lists, do you have questions of your own about science?"
     After a long pause, a boy raised his hand, "Have you ever seen a grasshopper (蚱蜢)
eat? When I try eating leaves like that, I get a stomachache. Why?"
     This began a set of questions that lasted nearly two hours.
     Secondly, give them time to think. Studies over the past 30 years have shown that, after
asking a question, adults typically wait only one second or less for an answer, no time for a
child to think. When adults increase their "wait time" to three seconds or more, children give
more logical(符合逻辑) , complete and creative answers.
     Thirdly, watch your language. Once you have a child involved in a science discussion,
don't jump in with "That's right" or "Very good". These words work well when it comes to
encouraging good behavior. But in talking about science, quick praise can signal that discussion
is over. Instead, keep things going by saying "That's interesting" or "I'd never thought of it that
way before", or coming up with more questions or ideas.
     Never push a child to "Think". It doesn't make sense, children are always thinking, without
your telling them t9. What's more, this can turn a conversation into a performance. The child
will try to find the answer you want, in as few words as possible, so that he will be a smaller
target for your disagreement.
     Lastly, show; don't tell. Real-life impressions of nature are far more impressive than any
lesson children can learn from a book or a television program. Let children look at their fingertips
through a magnifying glass (放大镜), and they' II understand why you want them to wash before
 dinner. Rather than saying that water evaporates (蒸发) , set a pot of water to boil and let them
watch the water level drop.