IT’S A BIG BIG WORLD shows children that science isn’t just a bunch of facts, it is a process of discovery. In each episode, viewers accompany characters on an adventure as they learn more about themselves and the big, big world all around them. Through the stories, the characters demonstrate for young viewers how to think through the questions and puzzles they encounter and how they can use the process of scientific inquiry to help them discover new things. You can help your child understand these thinking skills by watching the program with them and highlighting the steps of scientific inquiry and exploration after the program is over. Here are some ideas to discuss.

1. Ask Questions.
A great way to learn about science is by learning how to ask the right kinds of questions. Talk to your child about the puzzle, mystery, or big idea of each segment. What questions did the characters ask to gather information about it? Point out the different types of questions the characters ask: how, why, what will happen, and what if. Help your child see that there are different types of questions that provide different kinds of information.

2. Gather Information.
Talk about the characters’ investigation and how the puzzle or big idea was addressed. Knowing how to gather new information, and what information is good to use, is an important step in scientific inquiry and exploration. Ask your child how the characters gathered new information about the question or idea. Did they use their senses? Did they reference a book? Did they try an experiment? Did they ask other characters about their ideas or experiences? How did the characters know which information to use? Did any of this information lead to new questions?

3. Form New Ideas.
Summarize the main ideas in the story with your child. What were the characters’ ideas in the beginning of the episode, and what are the new ideas that they have now? What are some ways that their thinking changed? Help your child to connect the characters’ ideas to his own world. Ask him if he has ever experienced a similar situation. Help him think of ways to apply the lesson to his daily life. Talk about what other questions the episode raises and help him find the answers. Does your child want to look up more facts about one of the plants or animals in the series? Does he have a question about a scientific idea that was raised that he wants to research? Does he want to try one of the activities the characters did?

More ideas to think about :

Music
Each episode includes songs that capture big ideas and main themes of the story. Talk about these themes with your child. The songs are influenced by many different cultures around the world. Discuss this idea and listen to music from different cultures. Encourage him to get up and sing and dance like the characters.

Life Science and Geography
The series features diverse plants and animals with interesting characteristics. Ask your child about the plants and animals in this episode. Help him determine if the animals are mammals, reptiles, etc. and discuss their individual animal features such as fur or scales. Research different plants mentioned in the series and together find some interesting facts about them.

Plants and animals live and survive in different locations and habitats around the world. Learn more about different habitats and find their locations on a globe or map with your child. Discuss why a plant or an animal might live in one place, and not in another (the reasons might include the weather, environment, or available food source).