Fossils

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Learning about fossils is a terrific way for children to explore Earth’s past. Your children have probably looked at fossils in natural history museums or read about them in books. Nearly every child has learned about dinosaurs and prehistoric animals. Fossils are clues to Earth’s history and help us understand how life has changed on our planet. Remind your children that a fossil is something left from a plant or animal that lived long ago that has turned into rock. It is important for your children to understand that fossils do not have to be bones or parts of plants, but they can be remnants of life, such as nests, footprints, and droppings. Fossils can form in many ways and your children should understand that the process takes millions of years. Scientists such as paleontologists study fossils and look for clues to draw conclusions about plants and animals that lived millions of years ago.