Associations Between Parents’ Attitudes and Beliefs About Science, Their Demographic Characteristics, and Their Home Science Learning Environment for Children Under Age 6

Abstract

This study investigated the associations between parents’ attitudes and beliefs about science (life, physical, earth), their demographic characteristics, and their home science learning environment (science-related activities and materials). Parent participants (N = 99) whose child had not entered kindergarten completed a survey distributed in the Western region of the United States. Bivariate correlation analyses showed an association between parental comfort in planning and demonstrating science-related activities and their child’s benefiting from learning science at an early age. An association was found between parents’ income and their attitudes and beliefs toward teaching science to their child at home. Additional bivariate correlations reveal that parents of ethnic/racial minority status were less likely to perform science activities and use science-related materials with their child. These results suggest that parents ’attitudes and beliefs are associated with their home science learning environment. Therefore, it is important to provide educational programs and interventions to enhance parents’ knowledge and skills on how to teach science at home.