Effectiveness of Science Play with Young Children in Changing Guardians’ Attitudes toward Science

Abstract

Science play is held in many kindergartens, nursery centers, and science museums to increase children’s interest in science. Additionally, it is evaluated as an element of education in elementary school science classes, owing to the strange things that children think and the way they try to solve problems. Furthermore, it has been shown that continued support from guardians is effective in developing the interests gained by children through scientific play. However, in early childhood education, science play is less emphasized than words and numbers at home. One reason for this phenomenon is that parents have little interest in science. Therefore, guardians’ interest in science is an important factor for them and their young children to actively engage in science play at home. In this study, we investigated whether guardians’ attitudes toward science would change if they engaged in science play with their children. We also examined issues that were associated with the contents and methods of science play by guardians with their children at home.