Teachers Innovate with Science Experiments for Preschoolers
Curiosity is one of the most powerful learning tools in childhood, and teachers at a PAUD in Makassar are using science experiments to spark that curiosity. Every Friday, classrooms transform into mini-laboratories where children explore natural phenomena through simple, safe activities.
Experiments include mixing colors with water, observing plant growth, and creating bubbles or volcano eruptions using baking soda and vinegar. These playful projects introduce scientific concepts like cause and effect, observation, and prediction in an exciting way. Teachers guide students step by step, asking questions to stimulate thinking rather than simply giving answers.
Through these hands-on activities, children learn to observe carefully and communicate their discoveries. Teachers encourage them to use descriptive words such as “it grows,” “it changes,” or “it moves.” These interactions strengthen both scientific understanding and language development.
Parents have responded positively to the science program, often recreating the experiments at home. Some have even started mini-gardens with their children after learning about plant growth in class. Teachers report that students become more curious about the world and more confident in asking questions.
The success of this initiative demonstrates that science is not too complex for preschoolers — it just needs to be presented in a fun, tangible way. By nurturing curiosity early, PAUD institutions are laying the foundation for lifelong learning and problem-solving skills.