Communicating Astronomy with Children

C o m m u n i c a t i n g A s t r o n o m y w i t h C h i l d r e n

Thilina Heenatigala | @ThilinaH Universe Awareness | Institute of Mental Health (Sri Lanka)

Nature

Nurture

Social

Repetition Culture

Object ive: I d e n t i f y M u l t i d i s c i p l i n a r y

M e t h o d s t o I n t r o d u c e I d e a s t o C h i l d r e n

10 child edu/care centres ~100 children (with ~40 teachers) 4 groups (~25 children per group) 4-6 age group

Group 1: Numeric - 10% - Fact based without an understanding Group 2: Visuals - 80% - attracted to warm colours (red > yellow > white) Group 3: Scales - 30% - difficulty in identifying similar scales Group 4: Language - 40% - loosing the interest through repetition

Key Learnings :

Colours = Attention!

S i d e I n f o

Attracted to warm colours (first red, then yellow, then white). Older attracted to blue and green (+8).

Engelbrecht, K. 2003, The Impact of Color on Learning

Less is more!

S i d e I n f o

Children come up with several hypothesis within 2-5 min. One idea at a time.

Carlson, S. M. (2005) Less is more: executive function and symbolic representation in preschool children

Do the baby talk!

S i d e I n f o

Children respond more towards “baby talk”. Increases the attention span of children.

Apel, K., Masterson, J (2012) Beyond Baby Talk: From Speaking to Spelling: a Guide to Language and Literacy Development for Parents and Caregivers

Use combination of media!

S i d e I n f o

Use different type of media to present ideas: oral, visual and text. But not too many! (remember “less is more”).

NIEER,Three C’s Approach to Kids Media

Never too young to understand!

S i d e I n f o

Do NOT say “too young”. Balance between understanding and facts learning.

Holinger, P. C. (2012) Before Children Talk ... They Understand a Lot!

Implementing: S o b h a K a k u l u E x h i b i t i o n

( S r i L a n k a )

From Children to Children

Students, Teachers and Parents

Present ideas through multidisciplinary approach

43 primary schools with ~10,000 visitors

C o n c l u s i o n

Thilina Heenatigala | @ThilinaH Universe Awareness | Institute of Mental Health (Sri Lanka)

Colours = Attention! Less is more! Do the baby talk! Use combination of media! Never too young to understand!