Atom Study For Early Learners
(This post contains affiliate links. I received a free copy of Eddie The Electron from Amberjack Publishing and I was compensated for the time to review the book. Opinions are all mine.)
Most primary and elementary science curricula do not cover atoms. It can be difficult for some young learners to grasp the concept of something they cannot see making up everything that we can see. However, I don’t see any problem with taking baby steps toward understanding larger, more complex concepts like atoms and elements. We build on these types of concepts with young children all the time.
You Can’t See It, But It’s There
Think about the wind. Can you see it? Can you feel it? The wind is just atoms moving really fast. Even though you can’t see it, the wind is there. It’s the same as when you blow up a balloon. You are filling the balloon with millions of atoms of nitrogen, oxygen, and other elements. Even though you can’t see the air that you exhale, it is still present.
Share these examples with your young learners. Let them test it out with a balloon or by blowing on their hand. Get them used to the idea that somethings are so small that we can’t see them, but joined together, those atoms are a force.
Age Appropriate Atom Lesson For Early Learners
Even the most complex subjects can be introduced to young learners when you start with the basics and explain it in a way that they can understand. I’m not saying you need to walk your child through atomic theory. I’m saying that you can introduce the concept of an atom and some basic supporting information. Make it interesting, simple, and fun.
The Science Lesson
I created this simple Atom Lesson download that you can use with your children as a place to start. It covers the basics of atoms by answering simple questions like – What is an atom? What makes up an atom? Are there different types of atoms?
You can download this Atom Lesson for FREE to use as a start to your atom or element study.
Fun Children’s Science Book
Eddie The Electron is a charming book from Amberjack Publishing that teaches kids about atoms without them realizing they are learning. Eddie walks kids through what it is like being an electron inside an atom. He brings concrete ideas ideas that can help kids understand the concept of atoms.
The book is entertaining and simple, with cute illustrations. You could read it aloud to younger kids or let the bigger kids read it themselves. Both would find it a fun read.
Eddie The Electron was written by a PhD chemist, Melissa Rooney. I love her thoughts about kids and science “I am confident that, by presenting these scientific concepts to children at an early age, Eddie would increase the likelihood that they would be comfortable and interested in such ‘complicated’ ideas.”
Learn more about Melissa Rooney’s courses.
Connect with Amberjack Publishing
Hands-On Atom Resources
- The Beginners Guide To Atoms And The Periodic Table
- Build An Atomic Model – Bright Ideas Press
- Build An Atom Download (FREE) – Teachers Pay Teachers
- Atomic Model
- Chemistry Molecular Model Set
