Learn How to Use The Scientific Method for Kids – Fun Examples

Young kids constantly explore the world around them. Use this free Scientific Method for Kids printable in your science center or class library to show your preschoolers that they are scientists.

Why Should You Introduce the Scientific Method to Preschoolers?

Kids don’t have to be in high school, middle school, or even elementary school to learn about the scientific method.

Preschoolers are natural scientists who are constantly exploring the world around them.  That’s why it’s never too early to introduce scientific vocabulary and to talk about scientists with little learners. 

That’s right….kids of all ages (including 3-5 year olds) can learn about the scientific method, and the best part is that you don’t have to wear a lab coat or be an expert in science to introduce the method in engaging ways. This free printable is a great way to introduce the scientific method for kids. Use it to show young kids that they are scientists.

What is The Scientific Method?

The scientific method is a process or series of steps that scientists use to study the physical and natural world around them.  My printable illustrates a simplified version of the scientific method.  Kids naturally use the steps as they explore their world.  You can use the printables to illustrate to children that they are scientists.

You can bind the steps together into a little book, tape them together to make an accordion book,  or you can hang the steps on the wall or bulletin board.

The printables will be a great addition to your science center. You might even figure out another way to use them….and I would love to hear about it.

What are The Six Scientific Method Steps?

When we use the scientific method, we follow a set of 6 steps.

1. Make observations
2. Form questions
3. Develop a Hypothesis
4. Test the Hypothesis
5. Record the Results
6. Share the Results

You may be thinking, “how can I use these steps with preschoolers?” Well….don’t be intimidated because it’s easier than you think.

Step 1: Make Observations

The first step of the scientific method involves making observations.  The best way to encourage kids to make observations is by asking them open-ended questions. Here are some open-ended questions that you can ask to encourage kids to make observations:

• What do you see, hear, taste, smell, feel?
• What did you notice about the rocks?
• Can you tell me about the block tower that you made?
• What do you notice about the plants?

Step 2: Form Questions

Step #2 is the step of wonder.   Encourage kids to form questions about their observations. Again, science questions can be very simple. Here are some different types of questions that a young child might come up with:

• I wonder what will happen if the rocks get wet?
• I wonder why the block tower collapsed?
• I wonder why that plant is droopy?
• I wonder what will happen when I put the green bean in the water?

Encourage your little scientists to help you come up with some new scientific questions and then choose one of the questions to test.

Step 3: Develop a Hypothesis

Step 3 of the scientific process involves developing a scientific hypothesis or making a prediction, possible answers, or an educated guess to answer the question.  This is the step of think……”I think.”

• I think that the rocks will be slippery when they are wet.
• I think that the block tower fell over because the base was too small.
• I think that the plant is droopy because it is sad.

Step 4: Test the Hypothesis

Now, the fun part….testing the hypothesis.  Developing and then testing a hypothesis is a great way to develop critical thinking skills. Kids think of a method of research, which is a fancy way to say that they can think of way to conduct an experiment.

Don’t let the word “experiment” freak you out! A good experiment doesn’t have to be complex and difficult. Young kids can have fun and learn about science with super easy and simple science experiments.

Here are some examples of fun & simple science experiments: Kids can use a spray bottle to get rocks wet, they can try another method to build their block tower, or they can sing songs to the droopy plant.

If you want, you can introduce the idea of control group at this point. The control group would be the things that do not get a special treatment or change. For example, a control group would be some rocks that are not wet, a plant that got no special treatment, and the original block tower.

Step 5: Record the Results

Scientists always record the results of their experiments. Encourage your kids to record the results of your experiment in their own way.  Here are some different ways that young kids can record results:

• They can talk about the results (individually, in a small group, or in a large group). You can help them organize the information into a graphic organizer if you like.
• Provide writing papers, notebooks, age-appropriate scientific journals, and blank books throughout your room. This will encourage kids to draw pictures or “write” about their scientific discoveries.
• You can also take videos (slo-mo videos are REALLY cool) or snap pictures to record experimentation results.

Step 6: Share the Results

The final step in the scientific method for kids is sharing the results.  Here are some ways that young scientists can share results.

• You can have a simple conversation with kids about what happened.
• Kids can invite others to re-test and see the results of their experimentation.
• Children can share the results with parents at pick-up or with other kids at circle time
• Little scientists can share the notes, photos, drawings from step 6 to someone.
• You can hang photos of their experimentation or their drawings/writing in the hallway.

Much like a life cycle, the scientific method can be cyclical.  Kids can decide if they are satisfied with their results. Maybe they need to go back and re-test the original hypothesis. Perhaps they have more scientific questions or new questions they would like answered. If that is the case, they can go through the set of steps again as they begin forming a new hypothesis and develop their next science experiment to test their theories.

Get the Free Scientific Method for Kids Printable

Are you ready to add this scientific method printable to your science center? Fill out the form below, and I will send the printable directly to your inbox.

I hope that you enjoy using these printables with your little scientist.

Printable Science Resources From the Store

Are you looking for more science resources for your young kids? Check out these fun activities in the store. The comparing weight activities and scientific investigations are the perfect way to try out the scientific method with preschoolers and kindergarteners.

Purchase on TPT

Do you prefer to shop at Teachers Pay Teachers? You can also purchase the science activity printables in my TPT Store.

Additional Science Activities & Ideas for Preschoolers