Teachable moments are opportunities to learn that arise from real-life experiences. They are valuable because they make learning more engaging and relevant and can help to spark curiosity and passion for science in children.
Recognizing and utilizing teachable moments can be easier than you think. By being open to unexpected learning opportunities, asking questions, and taking time to explore and experiment parents can help their children to discover the wonders of science in their everyday lives.
There are many different examples of teachable moments in science that parents can use to engage children, from observing ants and their habitat to discussing climate change. By using these real-life experiences as a starting point, adults can help children to develop critical thinking skills and a love of science that will last a lifetime.
Keep reading to learn how you can leverage these moments to inspire the next generation of scientists!
Five Facts About Teachable Moments in Science for parents:
✅ Teachable moments in science can arise from everyday life situations, like when a child observes a tree dying and asks questions about lifecycles, notices that some seeds sprout faster than others, or asks why we have to drink water even though juice may taste better. They’re all around us every single day if we notice.
✅ Parents can harness teachable moments to integrate more learning into the existing day-to-day hustle and children gain deeper insights into different areas of science in a pressure-free-moment.
✅ Teachable moments can be used to teach your child about important scientific concepts, like climate change, and motivate them to explore different perspectives on scientific issues that impact their future.
✅ Remember that great teachers and parents alike are open to following your child’s curiosity when teachable moments arise and use the opportunities to maximize effective learning.
✅ Teachable moments allow parents to pass along unplanned but potentially very impactful information to their kids and help build their self-confidence as independent learners.
What are Teachable Moments?
Teachable moments are all around us — in our homes, schools, and communities. But what are they exactly? Put simply, they are instances where an unexpected event or situation creates an opportunity to learn. These spontaneous teaching moments are incredibly valuable and can make a lasting impact on a child’s education journey.
These moments allow people to actively pursue their education through exploration, observation and critical thinking, rather than retaining information they may not fully comprehend. By inspiring curiosity in this way, teachable moments offer more practical and authentic means for learners to engage with the world around them.
While each teachable moment is unique in its own right, some common characteristics may include a break from routine and structure; an enquiring kid asking challenging questions or perhaps an interruption to the routine caused by external factors like drastic weather changes or environmental stimuli.
Importance of Teachable Moments in Learning
Utilizing teachable moments helps bridge the gap between theoretical “classroom learning” and real-life applications. It allows children to see how what they learn in lessons can apply to their everyday lives. Kids are also able to learn at their own pace, making connections between concepts as they arise naturally and without unnecessary pressure. By recognizing and seizing teachable moments, parents can make a meaningful impact on their kids’ learning journey.
How to Recognize and Utilize Teachable Moments
Valuable teaching moments can take place at any time, be it inside or outside the home. Capitalizing on these “sparks” provides some of the best lessons since kids are already invested in the experience. These fleeting glimpses may be brief, but they’re often quite powerful for both parents and our little learners alike.
It’s all about seizing teachable moments when they arise.
When kids show interest, or ask questions, these are good indicators that a teachable moment is just around the corner. (Yes, the 500th question may be just as valuable as the first, no matter how exhausted you might feel after cooking supper, sorry!)
Parents should pause and explore further with questions that build upon enthusiasm and learning by using meta-cognitive prompts like “what if?” Or “how might we?”
To Create a Teachable Moment
A unique approach parents can use when creating teachable moments is by immersing their kids into topics that are relevant within their daily lives on a personal level.
For example, using popular TV show clips related to science concepts can help build excitement, leading learners into deeper analysis of scientific phenomena.
The tv shows would have to be selected based on each childs’ interests, age, and the scientific concept you’re teaching. The show In the table below, some of the unique properties of water are listed along with a brief explanation of each property:
| Property | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Cohesion and Adhesion | Water molecules stick to each other and to other substances. |
| Surface Tension | The skin-like layer that forms on the surface of water due to cohesive forces between molecules. |
| Capillary Action | The ability of water to flow upward against gravity in narrow tubes or porous materials. |
| Density | Water is denser as a liquid than as a solid, allowing ice to float. |
| Universal Solvent | Many substances dissolve well in water due to its polarity. |
A real-life example you could use to teach your children the importance of water properties and human health is the story of the Flint Water Crisis.
Encourage children to ask questions, make observations, and engage in hands-on activities to deepen their understanding of the science of sound. Foster their curiosity and provide opportunities for them to explore and experiment with different sounds and vibrations in their everyday lives.
| Activity | Description |
|---|---|
| Sound Walk | Taking a walk outside while listening to sounds, identifying sources, and discussing loudness and frequencies. |
| Make Your Own Instrument | Constructing instruments like guitars, drums, or flutes while exploring sound vibrations using simple materials such as rubber bands, paper towel tubes. |
| Visualizing Sound Waves | Experimenting with cornstarch or salt textured surfaces placed over a speaker producing different frequencies causes visualized moving patterns illustrating the movement of sound waves. |
Example 6: Examining the Human Body
Investigating the Human Anatomy is another perfect example of the teachable moments in science. In this example, learners get to explore the structure and functions of human organs through hands-on activities.
X-ray Fun: Use x-ray images or printouts to introduce children to the skeletal system. Discuss the role of bones in providing support, protection, and movement. Encourage them to identify major bones and learn their names.
Our kids enjoy this level 2 Step into Reading book titled “Bones”:
Introduce the topic by explaining what chemical reactions are and how they differ from physical reactions.
Explain that chemical reactions and physical reactions are both ways that substances can change, but they happen in different ways.
A chemical reaction is a process where one or more substances change into completely new substances with different properties. It’s like a transformation or a “chemical makeover.”
| Reaction Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Chemical Reaction | A process where one or more substances change into completely new substances with different properties. During a chemical reaction, the atoms in the substances rearrange themselves, forming new bonds and breaking old ones. This rearrangement creates new molecules with different properties from the original substances. |
| Example | When baking soda is mixed with vinegar, a bubbling and fizzing reaction occurs. The baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and vinegar (acetic acid) react together to produce carbon dioxide gas, water, and a new substance called sodium acetate. These new substances have different properties than the baking soda and vinegar you started with. |
| Physical Reaction | A change in the appearance or state of a substance without forming new substances. It involves a change in the way something looks or behaves, but the atoms in the substance remain the same. |
| Examples | – Melting ice into water: The substance changes from a solid (ice) to a liquid (water) state without forming new substances. |
| – Breaking a pencil into pieces: The pencil remains the same material (graphite and wood) but is physically separated into smaller parts. | |
| – Changing the shape of clay: The clay retains its composition but is molded into a different form or shape. |
Basically, chemical reactions involve the formation of entirely new substances with different properties, while physical reactions involve changes in appearance or state without forming new substances.
Pro tip: Chemical reactions are like a “makeover” that creates something completely new, while physical reactions are more like a change in appearance or behavior.
Experiments for Teachable Moments Related to Chemical Reactions
Baking Soda and Vinegar Volcano: Create a classic baking soda and vinegar volcano by placing a small container or plastic bottle in a bowl, cup, or basin. Add baking soda to the container and pour vinegar over it. Observe the fizzy reaction that occurs as the two substances combine. Discuss the chemical reaction between the baking soda and vinegar, which produces carbon dioxide gas.
Lemon Battery: Cut a small slit in a lemon and insert a copper coin and a zinc-coated nail into the fruit. Connect a wire from the coin to the nail and observe if any changes occur, like a small LED light bulb lighting up or a buzzer sounding. Discuss how the citric acid in the lemon acts as an electrolyte, enabling a chemical reaction to produce a small electric current.
Milk and Soap Magic: Pour milk into a shallow dish and add a few drops of different colored food coloring. Dip a cotton swab or toothpick into liquid dish soap and gently touch it to the surface of the milk. Observe the swirling patterns and colors that form. Explain how the soap molecules interact with the fats in the milk, causing the movement and dispersion of the colors.
Rusty Pennies: Gather a few old pennies that appear dull and tarnished. Create a solution of vinegar and salt in a small bowl. Place the pennies in the solution and leave them for a few minutes. Observe how the solution removes the tarnish and restores the shine on the pennies. Discuss how the vinegar and salt react with the copper oxide on the surface of the pennies, resulting in the cleaner appearance.
This video demonstrates the experiment of cleaning old pennies with 8 different liquids to see which works best. It’s not specifically made for children, but there’s nothing inappropriate for children to watch:
Questions and Answers About 10 Teachable Moments That Will Get Them Curious About Science
Why are teachable moments important?
Teachable moments are important because they allow for spontaneous learning opportunities and can help children gain meaningful insights into different areas of the classroom and life. They also help increase self-confidence and encourage independent learning.
What is a Montessori teachable moment?
A Montessori teachable moment is when a child is most receptive to taking in new information about something they are interested in. This can happen during academic lessons or everyday life situations, and can inspire children to keep asking questions and motivate them to apply their understanding in different ways.
How can parents teach at home using teachable moments?
Parents can teach at home using teachable moments by being on the lookout for these opportunities and being flexible with their lesson plans. They can encourage exploration and curiosity in their children and use mistakes as important teachable moments.
Why is it important to encourage children to be curious about science?
Encouraging children to be curious about science can help them develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, as well as a deeper understanding of the world around them. It can also inspire them to pursue careers in science-related fields and make important contributions to society.
How can embracing teachable moments and positive parenting benefit children?
Embracing teachable moments and positive parenting can benefit children by fostering a love of learning, increasing self-confidence and independence, and promoting curiosity and exploration. This can lead to a lifelong love of learning and success in both academic and personal pursuits.