Simple Science for Preschoolers: Exploring the World Around Us

By the Print and Learn team · 4 min read

Preschoolers are natural scientists. They ask "why?" constantly, test what happens when they drop things and notice tiny details adults miss. Early science (often called EVS, or environmental studies, in Indian schools) builds on that curiosity.

Big topics for little learners

• Animals: where they live, what they eat, which ones are pets, farm animals or wild animals.
• Plants and food: fruits vs. vegetables, how seeds grow, healthy and less healthy foods.
• Weather and seasons: hot and cold, rainy and sunny, and what we wear for each.
• Transportation: things that move on roads, on rails, on water and in the air.

Ask questions instead of giving answers

"Why do you think the ice melted?" "Where do you think the bird is going?" There is no need to get it right. Wondering out loud teaches children that questions are welcome and that we can find out answers together.

Try a tiny experiment

• Grow a seed in a cup on the windowsill and draw it every few days.
• Melt race: put ice cubes in the sun and the shade. Which melts first?
• Sort a fruit basket by color, size and whether it has seeds you can see.

Worksheets to go with it

• Animals: Animals Around Us, Wild Animals, Who Lives in Water?
• Food: Find the Fruits, Find the Vegetables, Healthy Food
• Weather: Hot or Cold? and Rainy Day
• Travel: Ways We Travel