See for Yourself

Experiments from Bubbles, Rainbows and Worms (Gryphon House, 2004)

By Sam Ed Brown

"Why did that happen?" "Why does it work that way?" "What will happen if...?"

Parents and caregivers know from experience that young children have a nearly insatiable curiosity. They have a powerful desire to explore and question the world around them.

Educators have suggested that this natural inquisitiveness sets the stage for future learning. As a result, hands-on activities have proven to be a wonderful and successful way for children to learn.

"To truly understand the definition of a word, children must act physically on a concept in which the word was used," writes the late Sam Ed Brown in his popular preschool science book, Bubbles, Rainbows and Worms (Gryphon House, 2004). "When children have tested a concept by exploration and manipulation, then it has meaning."

Mr. Brown's book has easy, simple, hands-on science experiments for parents who are struggling to answer all those "whys." For example, the following experiment with bubbles will help children understand what bubbles are made of and how they work.

Blowing Bubbles

Principles: Air is a real substance with weight. Light shows all the colors of the rainbow when it passes through a bubble.

Materials:
liquid detergent
water
cups
straws
construction paper
crayons

Words to Discuss:
blow
bubbles
circles
colors
liquid
pop
reflect

Science Experiment

Want to see more?

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• Recipes for Fun!
• Funny Magic for Kids
• Talk about it!