Authored by Mr. Pankaj Kumar, the Managing Director of Shard Center for Innovation

Parents and educators can nurture a superior learning ecosystem, aligned with the highest global standards that encourages curiosity and critical thinking in children. Unfolding the inner scientist within, requires dedicated efforts and a supportive environment. A strategic approach to education can transform even the everyday learning experiences into exciting scientific explorations, igniting a lifelong passion for creativity and innovation.

According to Mr. Pankaj Kumar, the Managing Director of Shard Center for Innovation, “By integrating technologies such as AI, drones, machine learning, and robotics into the learning process, children can explore science in a captivating and interactive way. Using educational kits and platforms helps them to create a sense of discovery and innovation by allowing them to engage with the material world while gaining insights that could influence future innovations.”

1. Appreciate them for asking questions:
As we know, children are naturally curious to know about things and happenings they come across. They keep asking countless questions about the world around them. They have an innate desire to understand how things work, why certain phenomena occur, and many more. One should encourage that curiosity by propping them up to explore the answers, as well as creating an environment where asking questions is appreciated.

2. Engage your kids in critical thinking:
One should engage the children in activities that require problem-solving and critical thinking.  Solving puzzles, making building blocks, and mental games like-chess can be used to enhance these skills. These activities challenge children to think logically and strategize accordingly. Additionally, one should also ask open-ended questions to them, which requires an analytical answer. That encourages them to think deeply and reason through the problems. This promotes critical thinking, creativity, and ability to approach challenges from multiple angles, building a strong foundation for scientific inquiry.

3. Connect the scientific theories to real world examples:
To nurture scientific experimentation, one should try to connect the scientific theories to the actual happenings around them. For example, if your child is learning about states of matter, then use water & ice to show how it changes. This hands-on approach allows them to experience the scientific processes in action, which makes the theoretical concepts more and understandable.

4. Support them in building a growth mindset:
A growth mindset is essential for nurturing a child’s inner scientist. It’s about appreciating their efforts, even if they don’t succeed right away. Encourage your child to see challenges as chances to learn and grow. Instead of viewing obstacles as setbacks, help them to see them as opportunities to explore, experiment, and discover in the long run.

5. Introduce them to prominent personalities:
One should share the stories of famous scientists and their explorations to your child. Knowing about their journeys, he/she can get a glimpse into the challenges, discoveries, failures and achievements that shaped them. That will not only inspire them, but also demonstrate the path of innovation and perseverance in the pursuit of knowledge.

6. Help them to go with their interests’ areas:
One should always support the children in exploring subjects they are passionate about. If they love space, find age-appropriate astronomy books, documentaries, or kits. If they enjoy nature, encourage birdwatching, gardening, jungle-walk or other outdoor explorations. When they follow their interests, learning becomes enjoyable and meaningful. This approach nurtures curiosity, creativity, and a deeper understanding of scientific concepts while promoting a lifelong love for learning.

7. Kits for hands-on learning:
Consider giving them science kits that include a microscope, camera, slides, and activity books. These kits provide hands-on learning experiences, fostering exploration and discovery. They offer a practical way to get into scientific concepts, engage in experiments, and encourage curiosity in a fun-filled educational manner.

By developing a deep love for scientific concepts and experimentation, every child would become a lifelong learner and innovator, ready to tackle the challenges and opportunities of the future.