First a big thank you to two fantastic bloggers who shared some sunshine with me this weekend. Check out Vivian Kirkfield at Positive Parent Participation and Jarmila Victoria Del Boccio at Making the Write Connections. These two ladies were gracious enough to pass on the Sunshine Award.
Here’s what makes me happy: hundreds of preschoolers, toddlers and their parents squealing with delight, dancing in their seats and screaming like crazy for….Sid the Science Kid. Never heard of Sid? Imagine animated, childlike Muppets conducting hands-on science investigations and encouraging kids to investigate, explore and discover. That’s Sid, a creation of The Jim Henson Company, which airs on PBS.
My children have enjoyed the show for a couple of years now. So, when PBS SoCal hosted “Little Scientist Day” featuring Sid at the California Science Center, I snapped up tickets. We enjoyed “real-live” Sid singing songs from the show and had a sneak peek at a yet-to-be-aired Easter episode about rocks. The museum also had a number of investigations set up throughout. We made slime out of polyvinyl alcohol and sodium borate. You can to the same thing at home with school glue and borax (scroll to the bottom of that post for directions for making “alien goop.”)
As a parent of budding scientists, I love the Sid show. Each episode includes a real science investigation that you can replicate at home from instructions on the PBS Parents site. We’ve made applesauce to discuss irreversible change, bounced balls to explore elasticity and much more. Each activity includes learning objectives, a materials list and step-by-step procedures.
Parents and teachers also can follow the two Sid-related blogs for more activity ideas and ways to implement the investigations at home and school.:
Let’s face it, children are natural scientists. Early introduction to hands-on investigations plays into their natural curiosity and can instill a life-long passion for science.
Kirsten W. Larson 
Yes, I believe kids are natural scientists too – and the field needs all the help it can get! Wish I had TV reception just for PBS!!
You know Julie, you can watch episodes on Netflix instant to. Ha, ha.
I have never heard of the Sid show, but think I would love it. Science is all about curiosity and investigation, of which, kids possess loads. I so agree with you, Kirsten!
It’s a fun show. Jim Henson Studios of Muppet/Sesame Street Show fame is the creator, so it’s high quality.
This program sounds wonderful! I love the local Science Centre (and I’m not even a kid anymore!) All the cool stuff you do on your blog makes me wish I’d had a different introduction to science when I was a kid.
Your boys are so lucky that you encourage their science development so very well.
Beth, I am certainly trying with my boys. Their interests have made me try to learn more and find ways to keep things interesting.
We seem to mostly have outgrown kidTV at my house, but I’m sorry Sid wasn’t on when mine were younger. It sounds great!
Well, now your kids can watch NOVA and How The Universe Works.
I LOVE Sid the science kid! My parents like him too. Congratulations on your awards 🙂
The show is so fun. Sometimes I think I love it even more than the boys.