Children are Using the Scientific Method Just Like the Pros!

Though their actions look suspiciously like play, a new study performed by Alison Gopnik, author of The Scientist in the Crib and professor at the University of California at Berkley, shows that children approach problems in need of solutions in much the same manner as scientists.

By utilizing advanced research methods and mathematical models that are able to provide insight into children’s learning mechanisms, Gopnik and her colleagues learned that young children are able to naturally learn from statistics, experiments and by observing the actions of others. The results, says Gopnik’s team, are strikingly similar to how researchers use the scientific method to get to the bottom of complex questions.

For more information:
www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=125575&org=NSF&preview=false

Gopnik’s homepage www.alisongopnik.com/

LeGare,  A child's potential as a future scientist

www.nsf.gov/news/news_videos.jsp?cntn_id=125575&media_id=73195

Schulz, Play examines cause and effect www.nsf.gov/news/news_videos.jsp?cntn_id=125575&media_id=73196&org

Some information contained in this blog is borrowed from The National Science Foundation News: Babies are Born Scientists and Alan McStravick in redOrbit science.