ScienceJam: Bones

Skeletons! They are more than silly Halloween decorations. They are Science! If you celebrate Halloween or not, the overwhelming presents of skeletons around your Exchange, neighborhood or school can be a great opener to discovering Human Anatomy with your young learner.

Children are natural scientists.  They are programed to be curious and discover through play and daily observations.  To “show” your child the bones inside of him, take a moment to examine a paper skeleton you see while walking around.  Have him squeeze his arms, legs or face and ask if he feels something hard.  Explain that the skeleton is what we all look like under our skin.  If your child is interested in the discussion, go on to explain the squishy parts are our muscles and you can even introduce the vocabulary word, “cartilage” by squishing noses and comparing that feeling to the stiffness of bones and the squishy feeling of muscles.

Search the Usborne book site for some great nonfiction books about the human body.  If you feel these books are to high content for your child, try a puzzle.  Both Melissa and Doug and Learning Resources have great floor puzzles for the curious young mind.

Finally, culminate your Halloween home lesson with handmade decorations for the holiday. Check out Family Fun Crafts for some great idea.  Or, for more scientific study about bones, go to Science Kids for games and activities.