Which of the following is a component of scientific inquiry for children?

The correct answer emphasizes the concept of scientific inquiry as an active and experiential process. Exploring the environment and observing changes enables children to engage directly with their surroundings, fostering natural curiosity and promoting critical thinking skills. This hands-on exploration lays the foundation for scientific understanding, as children ask questions, make observations, and draw conclusions based on their experiences.

While using books to read about the universe and creating models of the solar system can support learning, they are more passive forms of engagement. These methods provide information and context but do not involve direct interaction with the environment that is essential for young children's experiential learning. Conducting formal experiments with scientific protocols is more structured and may not be developmentally appropriate for young children, who benefit more from open-ended exploration and discovery. Thus, exploring their environment aligns most closely with the principles of scientific inquiry suitable for children, as it encourages active participation and personal connection to their learning.