2 year old dd wants a microscope...ideas/advice
dinapug310
Hi all!
I was hoping for some ideas and development info.
My dd is 2 (28 months) and has indicated that she wants a microscope. She is not very verbal yet, so it's not that she is asking for it often, but we had been reading a Dr. Suess book for a few weeks that had a picture of one and she relayed the message that it was something she would like. I told her I would find her one.
I was not thinking at the time that it would be a challenge for her to look into the hole! I did a lot of research and could not find one with a big eye piece, then I thought that I finally did find a slightly larger one, but I purchased it and upon receiving it today, find that I must have misunderstood. It is pretty small.
I am wondering a few things...one is that I have no idea when kids are developmentally able to view something like this, when does the ability to close one eye and look in with the other begin? We have a little toy that has pictures in it and she can't view those, so I know she is not able to do it yet.
And I'd really like to give it to her, because she wants one and I like to hold true to my word to her, but I don't want her to be frustrated by it and I'm not sure how to really make it possible for her or explain it to her. I'd like her to keep her enthusiasm for whatever it is about the object that she likes. Any ideas are very welcome.
Thank you,
Dina
I was hoping for some ideas and development info.
My dd is 2 (28 months) and has indicated that she wants a microscope. She is not very verbal yet, so it's not that she is asking for it often, but we had been reading a Dr. Suess book for a few weeks that had a picture of one and she relayed the message that it was something she would like. I told her I would find her one.
I was not thinking at the time that it would be a challenge for her to look into the hole! I did a lot of research and could not find one with a big eye piece, then I thought that I finally did find a slightly larger one, but I purchased it and upon receiving it today, find that I must have misunderstood. It is pretty small.
I am wondering a few things...one is that I have no idea when kids are developmentally able to view something like this, when does the ability to close one eye and look in with the other begin? We have a little toy that has pictures in it and she can't view those, so I know she is not able to do it yet.
And I'd really like to give it to her, because she wants one and I like to hold true to my word to her, but I don't want her to be frustrated by it and I'm not sure how to really make it possible for her or explain it to her. I'd like her to keep her enthusiasm for whatever it is about the object that she likes. Any ideas are very welcome.
Thank you,
Dina
Joyce Fetteroll
On Dec 4, 2009, at 3:01 AM, dinapug310 wrote:
to look through the hole.
You find your dominant eye by holding out your arm and pointing at
something small in the distance (like the corner of a room). Close
each eye and which ever eye doesn't shift your finger from the object
is your dominant eye.
I doubt a 2 yo would really need to go through that though ;-) If she
can focus, either eye would work and she would probably naturally
drift to using the dominant eye without realizing it.
really asking for.
I'd take her somewhere that had microscopes like a children's or
science museum or even a college so she can try them out. Ask on a
local list to see if someone has one you can borrow.
Also try some other types of magnifiers which she might like even
better since they're easier to use and portable. (Those are pretty
much should haves anyway for an unschooler!)
We have several magnifying glasses, as well as the flat sheets
(Fresnel lens) that magnify.
A photo magnifier would be great since she doesn't have to hold it:
http://www.brasscompass.com/magnifphoto.htm
American Science and Surplus is a good source for nifty stuff,
including microscopes:
http://www.sciplus.com/
Check out the pocket microscope (which I've used and are cool) and
the pocket scope.
http://www.sciplus.com/category.cfm/subsection/21/category/195
If she really wants a microscope, a USB (also on that page but you
might want to check Amazon for reviews of various styles) one might
work better since she can see the image on the computer.
Joyce
> when does the ability to close one eye and look in with the otherActually it's easier to keep both eyes open and use the dominant eye
> begin?
to look through the hole.
You find your dominant eye by holding out your arm and pointing at
something small in the distance (like the corner of a room). Close
each eye and which ever eye doesn't shift your finger from the object
is your dominant eye.
I doubt a 2 yo would really need to go through that though ;-) If she
can focus, either eye would work and she would probably naturally
drift to using the dominant eye without realizing it.
> And I'd really like to give it to her, because she wants one and II suspect her idea of what she's asking for may not match what she's
> like to hold true to my word to her, but I don't want her to be
> frustrated by it and I'm not sure how to really make it possible
> for her or explain it to her.
>
>
really asking for.
I'd take her somewhere that had microscopes like a children's or
science museum or even a college so she can try them out. Ask on a
local list to see if someone has one you can borrow.
Also try some other types of magnifiers which she might like even
better since they're easier to use and portable. (Those are pretty
much should haves anyway for an unschooler!)
We have several magnifying glasses, as well as the flat sheets
(Fresnel lens) that magnify.
A photo magnifier would be great since she doesn't have to hold it:
http://www.brasscompass.com/magnifphoto.htm
American Science and Surplus is a good source for nifty stuff,
including microscopes:
http://www.sciplus.com/
Check out the pocket microscope (which I've used and are cool) and
the pocket scope.
http://www.sciplus.com/category.cfm/subsection/21/category/195
If she really wants a microscope, a USB (also on that page but you
might want to check Amazon for reviews of various styles) one might
work better since she can see the image on the computer.
Joyce
Rod Thomas
<<<If she really wants a microscope, a USB (also on that page but you
might want to check Amazon for reviews of various styles) one might
work better since she can see the image on the computer.
Joyce>>>>
We have had one of these for years, the Intelplay by Matel. It has 3
powers, easy for young kids, plugs into computer easily and also can be
removed from stand and hand held. Very cool. It was only $100 about 8
years ago.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
might want to check Amazon for reviews of various styles) one might
work better since she can see the image on the computer.
Joyce>>>>
We have had one of these for years, the Intelplay by Matel. It has 3
powers, easy for young kids, plugs into computer easily and also can be
removed from stand and hand held. Very cool. It was only $100 about 8
years ago.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
BRIAN POLIKOWSKY
I would by a microscope for the future and a Eyeclops ( I think that is the name).
A cyclop is a camera that works as a microscope you connect to the tv.
We have one and love it!!!!!!!! We luckly got ours very cheap at the Goodwill store ( same with our microscope!)
Here is the link for one:
http://www.eyeclops.com/
click on the bionic eyes!
Alex Polikowsky
http://polykow.blogspot.com/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/unschoolingmn/
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
A cyclop is a camera that works as a microscope you connect to the tv.
We have one and love it!!!!!!!! We luckly got ours very cheap at the Goodwill store ( same with our microscope!)
Here is the link for one:
http://www.eyeclops.com/
click on the bionic eyes!
Alex Polikowsky
http://polykow.blogspot.com/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/unschoolingmn/
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Jenna Robertson
There are telescopes you can use w/ two eyes! :) Here's an example:
http://www.discoverthis.com/i-explore-scope.html
I realize it won't look exactly the same, and that you already have purchased on, but hopefully that helps.
:)
Jenna
"If I had influence with the good fairy who is supposed to preside over the christening of all children, I would ask that her gift to each child in the world be a sense of wonder so indestructible that it would last throughout life."
- Rachel Carson
..
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
http://www.discoverthis.com/i-explore-scope.html
I realize it won't look exactly the same, and that you already have purchased on, but hopefully that helps.
:)
Jenna
"If I had influence with the good fairy who is supposed to preside over the christening of all children, I would ask that her gift to each child in the world be a sense of wonder so indestructible that it would last throughout life."
- Rachel Carson
..
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Umm Ilyas
We have the Eyeclops http://www.eyeclops.com/ the Bionicam. The batteries run down real quick, but both my kids (6 and 2) thought it was tons of fun. It doesn't look like a traditional microscope, tho'.
Darcy
________________________________
From: dinapug310 <b38040@...>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Fri, December 4, 2009 2:01:22 AM
Subject: [unschoolingbasics] 2 year old dd wants a microscope...ideas/advice
Hi all!
I was hoping for some ideas and development info.
My dd is 2 (28 months) and has indicated that she wants a microscope. She is not very verbal yet, so it's not that she is asking for it often, but we had been reading a Dr. Suess book for a few weeks that had a picture of one and she relayed the message that it was something she would like. I told her I would find her one.
I was not thinking at the time that it would be a challenge for her to look into the hole! I did a lot of research and could not find one with a big eye piece, then I thought that I finally did find a slightly larger one, but I purchased it and upon receiving it today, find that I must have misunderstood. It is pretty small.
I am wondering a few things...one is that I have no idea when kids are developmentally able to view something like this, when does the ability to close one eye and look in with the other begin? We have a little toy that has pictures in it and she can't view those, so I know she is not able to do it yet.
And I'd really like to give it to her, because she wants one and I like to hold true to my word to her, but I don't want her to be frustrated by it and I'm not sure how to really make it possible for her or explain it to her. I'd like her to keep her enthusiasm for whatever it is about the object that she likes. Any ideas are very welcome.
Thank you,
Dina
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Darcy
________________________________
From: dinapug310 <b38040@...>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Fri, December 4, 2009 2:01:22 AM
Subject: [unschoolingbasics] 2 year old dd wants a microscope...ideas/advice
Hi all!
I was hoping for some ideas and development info.
My dd is 2 (28 months) and has indicated that she wants a microscope. She is not very verbal yet, so it's not that she is asking for it often, but we had been reading a Dr. Suess book for a few weeks that had a picture of one and she relayed the message that it was something she would like. I told her I would find her one.
I was not thinking at the time that it would be a challenge for her to look into the hole! I did a lot of research and could not find one with a big eye piece, then I thought that I finally did find a slightly larger one, but I purchased it and upon receiving it today, find that I must have misunderstood. It is pretty small.
I am wondering a few things...one is that I have no idea when kids are developmentally able to view something like this, when does the ability to close one eye and look in with the other begin? We have a little toy that has pictures in it and she can't view those, so I know she is not able to do it yet.
And I'd really like to give it to her, because she wants one and I like to hold true to my word to her, but I don't want her to be frustrated by it and I'm not sure how to really make it possible for her or explain it to her. I'd like her to keep her enthusiasm for whatever it is about the object that she likes. Any ideas are very welcome.
Thank you,
Dina
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Oceana Glantz
When I point to something in the distance my eyes make it look like I
have to fingers. Does this mean I don't have a dominant eye. Or am I
doing something wrong?
have to fingers. Does this mean I don't have a dominant eye. Or am I
doing something wrong?
BRIAN POLIKOWSKY
When I point to something in the distance my eyes make it look like I
have to fingers. Does this mean I don't have a dominant eye. Or am I
doing something wrong?
-=-=-=-=-=-
?????????
Doesn't everyone?
Maybe that is not a question for an unschooling board but for an eye specialist?
Alex Polikowsky
http://polykow.blogspot.com/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/unschoolingmn/
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
have to fingers. Does this mean I don't have a dominant eye. Or am I
doing something wrong?
-=-=-=-=-=-
?????????
Doesn't everyone?
Maybe that is not a question for an unschooling board but for an eye specialist?
Alex Polikowsky
http://polykow.blogspot.com/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/unschoolingmn/
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Joyce Fetteroll
On Dec 9, 2009, at 7:49 AM, Oceana Glantz wrote:
place it over the corner before your eyes switch focus to your finger.
Then try closing each eye to see which one shifts it off the corner.
Joyce
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> When I point to something in the distance my eyes make it look like ITry focusing on the corner first then raise your finger and quickly
> have to fingers. Does this mean I don't have a dominant eye. Or am I
> doing something wrong?
place it over the corner before your eyes switch focus to your finger.
Then try closing each eye to see which one shifts it off the corner.
Joyce
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
duckgirl01
> I was not thinking at the time that it would be a challenge for her to look into the hole! I did a lot of research and could not find one with a big eye piece, then I thought that I finally did find a slightly larger one, but I purchased it and upon receiving it today, find that I must have misunderstood. It is pretty small.We got out kids a dissection microscope (stereomicroscope) . All my research indicated that this type of microscope is the best type to get for the younger ages. My own experience as a kid, and from observation, is that a cell-level microscope is much more complicated to use, and gets boring fast with the younger ages. There was actually an article in the NYTimes written by a scientist that talked about this issue. With a stereomicroscope, you just plop the item on the platform - no preparing slides, etc.
>
I used http://greatscopes.com/, which gave us a discount for homeschoolers. We also invested in extra eye pieces so that we could get greater magnification for our scope. At the time I bought it, my kids were 3 and 5 yrs. The 3 year old loved it a lot. Although most stereomicroscopes have 2 eyepieces, my 3 year old's eye width was too small to use both in the beginning. She was fine just using one eye. She is now 4 and can use 2 eyes fine. Unfortunately, there's a limit to how small they made the width between the eyepieces. If you talk to the own at the website above, he'll give you lots of good advice. Even now, both my kids regularly use the stereomicroscope to look at all sorts of things they find around the house and outside. I use it a lot myself and I love it. My now-7-year-old is now asking for a cell-level microscope, which I plan to save for and buy. But I'm really glad we got the stereomicroscope first - it's just such a versatile and great intro to the micro world.
Trish