Science 101: A Primer
Posted on November 2nd, 2010 by Joya Logue
How does that happen? How does that work? What makes that do that?
Inquiring minds want to know. As a child, I was curious like so many children, who always wondered about things around me, and who loved the facts that were given to me. Whether it was exploring backyard nature with my sisters, visiting my dad at the hospital or his office, making science experiments with my grandfather (an electrician and artist), all of these collectively fueled my passion for learning.
Because science was a natural part of my life growing up, I ended up getting my degrees in Biology, Psychology and Chemistry and worked in these fields for several years. Yet, I still loved art and creating. I loved playing dolls with my sisters. I explored my interests and developed several side hobbies in the arts, which lead me to creating joyababy. The same curiosity that exists in the sciences also exists in the arts—How do I make this? Draw this? Create this?
I was similar to my own children, as well as every child who is fascinated by a variety of play and interests. As parents, we do not know which interests our children will end up studying or loving. And realistically all curiosities, whether a talent in the sciences or arts, can be developed at one point in their lives.
So how do we foster the inquiring mind, the curious child who is interested in how the world around them works?
Often, we find we do not have the perfect answers for our children, and the ones we have or look up can seem above their level of comprehension. If you are not a “science-loving” adult in the sense that you hate the thought of Biology 101, think of science in a non-structured way. If you can put the smell of dissection frogs out of your mind, you will realize that you can easily weave everyday science into your family’s lives. Ultimately it is just like helping your creative child gather the necessary art supplies for their ongoing masterpiece.
Instead of heading to a store to spend money on a science kit, (even though there are some pretty cool ones out there) think of gathering up the necessary tools for science discovery in the community around you.
With the help of my 7 year old son, we created a list of ideas to get started:
The Great Outdoors: Probably one of the most obvious ways to engage and answer questions about the world around us is found in nature.
-Animal watching
-People watching
-Observing nature in a variety of settings and seasons
-Preserving nature
-Star gazing
-Camping
-Taking photos, drawing pictures, writing about what is observed.
Basic Supplies: Binoculars, Magnifying Glass, Notepad/Pencil, Camera, a curious child and parent chaperone.
Extra Supplies: Collection tubes for viewing samples of water, bugs or leaves under a microscope at home and a Field Guide from local library.
Field Trips: Another relatively easy concept is to explore what your community has to offer in the area of sciences. Even though many children visit these places during school day field trips, one can really benefit from a trip with their family where they are not rushed, and can focus on a particular area of a museum. Often, my children will come home after a field trip and speak about one area they loved or one area they wished they had seen and usually that is a place we start when we revisit.
-Local museums
-State parks and natural habitats
-Local zoo and aquarium
-Gardens, lakes and beaches
-Recycle center
-Farms
-Archeological dig
-Fossil creek bed
-Caverns
Basic Supplies: Passes to the Museums or Local Attractions (Check local libraries who often have free passes that you can check out!) Notepad/Pencil, Books on topics for pre-reading, we like the DK Eyewitness Series of Books.
Extra Supplies: Special Tours with Experts and Special Exhibits.
Finding Answers: Look beyond the Internet. I know it is 2010, but I do believe we should give our children tools beyond the computer for learning. This is especially true for young learners who may be involved in doing some basic “research.”
-Visit the public library and pick out age appropriate books.
-Flip through a newspaper and weather report.
-Collect evidence to a question your child may have through a physical exploration and then come up with an educated guess.
-Interview a specialist or role model in the field of inquiry.
Easy Experiments: My boys love experiments at home. Here are a few sites we visit to get ideas…
-PBS kids
-Chicago Public Library
-Big Science Book
The most important thing to remember is to not be intimated by science but rather think of it as another learning experience for your child. All children have curiosities that need to be kindled, and they all look up to their parents for guidance. Providing that spark can fuel the fire of their passions for years to come.
Not Just Any Cookie
Posted on May 12th, 2010 by Joya Logue
I enjoy baking sugar cookie cut-outs, even though it is a messy process and I never have enough counter space. (I dream of having marble counters for baking.) I have been the official sugar cookie baker for the family since high school. So much that if I skip an occasion, I may hear about it from my uncle. 
Craft: Treat Bags
Posted on January 24th, 2010 by Joya Logue
Classic Play friend and Designer Joya Logue has created these very sweet treat bags that are perfect for filling with candy and giving to classmates, teachers, friends and colleagues.
You’ll Need:
freezer paper cut into 8 1/2 by 11 inch pieces
100% white cotton fabric also cut into 8 1/2 by 11 inch pieces
white cardstock
safety pin
treat bag pdf
gift tag pdf
Gift Guide: The Giving Issue
Posted on January 21st, 2010 by Joya Logue
Lucas Selvester (8) with the family's HPI heifer. Getenga Village, Tarime District, Mara Region. HPI Tanzania
What does giving teach us? It teaches kindness, sharing, compassion, community, awareness and humanity. Teaching our children to give back may be the greatest lesson we can give them. Here is a list of some of my favorite charities:
Heifer Project International
Support self-reliance by purchasing an animal for a family in need. One goat can provide milk for an entire family.
KIVA
As an entrepreneur myself, my husband and I regularly support other entrepreneurs in developing countries become more self-sufficient and provide for their families. Loans as small as $10 can kick start a business for someone.
A Family Affair
Posted on January 21st, 2010 by Joya Logue
It seems every week I can walk into our children’s room and playroom and find an overabundance of stuff: toys strewn over the floor, mixed together in baskets and containers, Lego pieces and matchbox cars in every nook and corner. And at this time every week I call the boys into their space and ask them to clean up. When I get that resistant grumble back, I go into my usual speech about children in our own city and across the world not having enough to eat, clean water to drink or shelter, let alone a playroom full of toys. Some may call this dramatic, but we all need reminders of what we have and take for granted, even at an early age. I think about this as holidays roll around and everyone circulates their wish lists. Often times I’m find myself thinking do we need one… more… thing squeezed into our small city home?
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