Simple? Really? 2010-08-28

Reviewer: FroggyMama

If you are a parent, looking for science activities for your kids, this is most definitely not the book for you. If you are a homeschooler or teacher, then it might be more appropriate. Simple is not a page-long essay about how to look at a cricket with a magnifying glass. Simple is fun, easy, and exciting. Well - at least for preschoolers. So if you want a truly simple science book for your preschooler, I suggest "Science Play" by Jill Frankel Hauser. If you want to set up a detailed curriculum of activities for your kids; complete with listed objectives, where to conduct the experiments, step-by-step instructions, questions to ask, discussion points, and follow-up activities - this book might be just what you need.

Fantastic! 2010-06-30

Reviewer: Christine

This book is simply fantastic! I'm a working mom, but I wanted to do some science activities with my three year old. After reading the reviews, I figured this book may be just the thing, and it is! It's clearly targeted for teachers (at a preschool, for example), but it works just fine for us at home. The activities are divided into (short) "units" with multiple activities associated with each unit. We can easily devote a week to a unit and spread the activities over the week. I also LOVE that each unit comes with some suggestions of books to grab from the library that can reinforce the topics. The activity descriptions are very clear, with obvious lists of supplies (and there's not much that you need to get that you won't already have), and great examples of questions and discussions to have with your child during the activity. It's great!

Great Prek book 2010-03-12

Reviewer: M. Bojczuk

Me and my son are having a great time with this book in our homeschool. The lessons are geared toward a classroom setting, but easily adapted to one one one homeschooling. I am considering teach from this book at my homeschool co-op since everything is set up so easily in the book.

This is for teachers, not moms 2010-02-20

Reviewer: Chowdahsoup

Based on the reviews I purchased this book for my 4 y.o. daughter who loves science experiments. This book is a very detailed lesson plan for teachers. Several pages are dedicated to each experiment. My problem is that when my dd wants to do experiments I need to be able to quickly see the "ingredient" list (to see if I have everything) and have a 1.2.3. of what to do to accomplish it. Because when it's over with she's going to want to do another one. While I do have some time to plan ahead I really don't need or want the info given to prepare for a classroom environment. We also received "Everything Science" for kids and that book was much more tailored to my daughters (and my) attention span.

fabulous ideas for curious toddlers 2009-08-10

Reviewer: S. Sullivan

My daughter was fortunate enough to take science with Miss Peggy, and gained a huge appreciation for science (and bugs!) This book picks up where science class left off, with lots of great ideas to engage little ones and inspire curiousity. We've already tried several of the projects in the book - my daughter has really enjoyed them (and I did too!)