36 August 2014 sky & telescope
Astronomy for Childrena glimpse through the eyepiece even when they are not
lined up exactly right.
Tool #3: A step stool. You probably have this already
for those times when your eyepiece is in an inconvenient
orientation, but you will need it for your younger viewers
as well. Parents or caregivers should always assist chil-
dren when using step stools and ladders.
Tool #4: Books, balls, and other physical toys.
Alternative activities that fi t the evening’s theme will be
important for young children with short attention spans.
Depending on your lighting conditions, a stack of good
astronomy picture books is perfect to have on the side to
fi ll waiting time or enable a change of focus. If it’s too
dark, bring glow-in-the-dark or tactile activities.
Tool #5: A pair of binoculars. Since young kids are
not necessarily able to close one eye, they might fi nd look-
ing through binoculars easier. Most binoculars designedfor children do not have clear enough optics for stargaz-
ing, but the GeoSafari Jr. Kidnoculars from Educational
Insights work impressively well for being so lightweight.
Tool #6: A small telescope. Since the children are
not allowed to touch the big telescope, they will love hav-
ing a (relatively childproof ) option that they can use by
themselves, even if they are not entirely successful. The
Edmund Scientifi c Astroscan is a good candidate, as is
the Orion StarBlast 4.5 Astro Refl ector.Tips for Success
Some specifi c advice will help you work eff ectively with
children younger than 5 years old.
Tip #1: Teach telescope use as a skill. You can start
the process with the toilet-paper tube then continue by
demonstrating how to look through a telescope. Look
through it yourself and narrate what you are doing.
Emphasize recommendations and techniques you are
using, such as what you can do with your hands while
looking through the telescope.
Tip #2: Tell children what they can do. Give chil-
dren positive alternatives to grabbing equipment such as,
“You can clasp your hands together” or “You may hold
onto the ladder.” Negative commands such as “Don’t
touch the telescope” or “Keep your hands off the eyepiece”
unintentionally plant those very ideas in their heads.
“Don’t think about a blue teddy bear.” See? You’re prob-
ably thinking about a blue teddy bear.
Tip #3: Look at bright objects. Begin with the Moon
or a simple fi rst-magnitude star even if you feel these
targets are too bright or uninteresting. For a child’s fi rst
view through a telescope, picking a target that is easy to
notice is better than aiming for one that is astronomically
fascinating. See the box on page 37 for some late-summer
observing suggestions.THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT Left: Place a relatively childproof
telescope where children can do their best to manipulate it
on their own. Here, a 3-year-old catches a glimpse through an
Edmund Scientifi c Astroscan, where the eyepiece has a wide
apparent fi eld of view and long eye relief. Above: Many kid-
friendly binoculars don’t have clear enough optics for stargazing,
but one good option is GeoSafari Jr. Kidnoculars (right).GENTLE TOUCH A preschool-age
girl takes her turn at the telescope.