Children’s science learning outside school: Parental support

Abstract

This study examined (a) the availability of basic science materials in children’s home environment, (b) the frequency of parents’ involvement in informal science activities with their children, (c) the level of opportunities parents offered their children for learning basic science subjects, and (d) the effect of grade level on parental support for children’s science learning. In this cross-sectional survey study, data were collected from 735 parents in a city in the north region of Turkey. Results revealed that most children did not have basic science materials at home. Parental support for making science trips was especially low. The parents supported their children’s learning most in the area of health, security, and nutrition. The MANOVA results indicated that the parents of middle school children supported their children significantly less to do science and nature activities compared to the parents of preschool and elementary school children. The middle school children were also less likely to be supported by their parents to learn science subjects related to matter, energy, and livings compared to preschool children. The parents of preschool children offered more opportunities for their children to learn science subjects related to sky compared to the parents of elementary and middle school children.