LISTEN TO CHILDREN
         Watch what they do, and hear what they are saying BEFORE you ask questions.

  FOLLOW CHILDREN'S LEADS
         Don't pull their attention away from something they are obviously interested in

  DON'T ANSWER TOO QUICKLY
         Allow time for them to answer on their own; ask them what they think or see

  ASK GENUINE QUESTIONS
         Real questions lead to conversations through which adults and children share thoughts
        and ideas and even more questions

  WHAT KINDS OF QUESTIONS ARE MOST EFFECTIVE?
         Those that follow children's interests or leads;
         Those you may not already be able to answer;
         Those that may have more than one answer;
         Those that encourage thought or further experimentation;
         Those that lead to friendly conversations about something interesting.

 ENCOURAGE CHILDREN TO ENGAGE IN SCIENCE PROCESSES 
         What does your snail eat?
         Are any of these rocks shinier than yours?
         What is the same about these plants?
         Can you find other materials in the room that your magnets will attract?

  ENCOURAGE CHILDREN TO USE SCIENCE TOOLS
         Have you tried looking at your snail with the hand lens?
         Which one is the heaviest?

  GIVE CHILDREN TIME TO ANSWER
         Give them a chance to think things over!   (wait time)

  CHILDREN WILL ASK QUESTIONS
         Encourage them, but especially, to ask questions that lead them to further explorations!
 
 
                     © 1997  All rights reserved.
                          "A HEAD START ON SCIENCE" DEMONSTRATION PROJECT
                          California State University, Long Beach, Department of Science Education

 
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