Lessons in Astronomy for Kids

Who doesn’t want to know more about the planets and the stars that we see in the sky? Anyone who teaches lessons in astronomy for kids should certainly tell them that many centuries ago, people mistakenly believed that all planets revolved around Earth. Later, though, some scientists argued that in fact the planets rotated around the sun rather than our own planet.

The most important of these scientists was an Italian called Galileo, who lived from 1564 to 1642. Galileo is known as the father of modern observational astronomy for his improvements to the telescope and the compass, as well as for discovering the four largest satellites of Jupiter (renamed the Galilean moons in his honor.) His ideas were so unpopular at the time that he was arrested because many leaders thought that other planets really should revolve around a center as the Earth.

Teaching astronomy for kids is more than about Galileo, though.  Visits to planetariums are always a good way to learn about stars and planets. I’ve also tried to include some lessons in astronomy for kids in my second Morgan and Little Fly adventure, called “Starfish and Space Dust.” In “Starfish and Space Dust,” Morgan and Little Fly see a mysterious flash of bright light in the sky during a visit to South Africa. The two friends then go on an adventure through rock pools, lagoons and sandy beaches. They find a wise old starfish that helps them understand a little more about the wonders and origin of the universe.

Some good places to learn more about astronomy for kids:

NASA’s learning center for young astronomers (http://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/StarChild.html)

Astronomy for Kids (http://www.frontiernet.net/~kidpower/astronomy.html)

Ask an astronomer for kids (http://coolcosmos.ipac.caltech.edu//cosmic_kids/AskKids/index.shtm)

Want to know more about astronomy for kids? Get your copy of Starfish and Spacedust now!