Provide a Journal. Seasoned inventors rec- ommend that children keep their ideas, draw- ings and doodles of possible inventions in one place. In the event a prototype is made, include dates and signatures from a couple of trusted adults.
Patents. When your child develops a won- derful idea or invention, search Google. com/Patents to see if the invention already exists. Visit the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for information on the next steps. The website even provides a section just for kids! Remember, many child inventors acquired patents thanks to the help and support of parents.
With St. Patrick’s Day this month, challenge your child to invent a leprechaun trap with recyclable items around the house. Give them the stats on leprechauns before they begin brainstorming:
• Leprechauns can’t resist gold. • Leprechauns like rainbows, specifi- cally the pot of gold at the end.
• Leprechauns enjoy playing harps, fiddles, and whistles.
• If you catch a leprechaun, they need to grant you three wishes or give you gold to earn their escape!
• Attempting and failing to catch a leprechaun may have consequenc- es. They are such pranksters!
The Humrichouse children have
designed leprechaun traps to set out on St. Patrick’s Eve for the past three years. The design gets more complex each year. Sadly, they have yet to succeed.
Instead, they find faux gold
(chocolate nuggets), green milk, and Lucky Charms cereal inside the box of oatmeal! Those tricky leprechauns! Nonetheless, it’s a great introduction to inventing and a lot of fun.
Toddlers and preschoolers may not
be ready for some of these steps, but their innovation can still be encouraged when they stack pillows to reach something, or create a “new recipe” by stacking dinner on a cracker. Once you start encouraging your little
inventor, you might even invent something yourself!
Heather Humrichouse is a freelance writer in the Treasure Valley. She loves to brainstorm right along with her children. Join them at
CreativeFamilyMoments.com.
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Anser Junior High
“Where I can be Me.” Anser Charter school is an expeditionary learning school where students actively engage in learning. They learn by
doing...doing the work of scientists, mathematicians, and historians - inside and outside the classroom. Anser teachers lead small classrooms, where they empower and equip sutudents with real-world tools. These efforts yield results. In the past 4 years, Anser Junior High students significantly out-performed the state averages in reading, math, and language.
Sound like a great fit for your child? Visit
ansercharterschool.org
AN EXPEDITIONARY LEARNING SCHOOL
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