How to Teach Genetics to Children

Tips for Helping Kids Learn About DNA, Genes and Inherited Traits

Nov 29, 2008

Genetics can be explained in simple language, and can also be demonstrated through fun activities such as comparing inherited traits or extracting DNA in the kitchen.

In some cases, sensitivity may be required when helping children learn about genetics. For example, looking through family photos to see likeness will only work with biological relatives. It’s also important to be prepared for questions about sexual reproduction, as this is how traits are passed on from parents to children.

Why Learning About Genetics is Important

Genetics is not simply a box that must be ticked in school biology – there are good reasons to learn about it. What living things do, what they look like and how they reproduce are all down to genes. Genetics plays a vital role in disease, and there are also many career opportunities.

Abilities will vary from child to child, and depend on factors such as age and level of interest. It’s important to keep in mind that even some of the most basic concepts in genetics can be hard to grasp, and children shouldn’t be expected to understand fully.

For example, a child can gain a basic understanding of DNA without knowing the names of the chemicals it is made of. Pictures can also be an excellent aid to learning. The DNA double helix structure is fascinating, and many images of this can be found online (see photos below).

Activities for Recognizing Traits

The Open University touch on the idea of looking at family photos in their Inheritance of Characters course (SK195_1). This activity can be useful for identifying similarities and differences in the way relatives look. For example, there may be a recurring nose shape or noticeable height differences.

These observable traits are called phenotypes, and such traits can be fun to explore. The Inherited Human Traits page on the Genetic Science Learning Centre website gives chin clefts as an example. A chin cleft is a dominant trait, whereas a smooth chin is a recessive trait.

Fun DNA Kitchen Experiment

Children may be interested in what DNA looks and feels like. It is quite easy to extract DNA from fruit and vegetables. Adult guidance is advised as such experiments sometimes involve the use of a knife or blender to chop and pulverise the fruit, and also alcohol for the DNA precipitation.

Children (and adults!) may ask why the DNA can be seen when it’s so small. The Fruit Loops page on the Biotechnology Institute’s website points out that DNA is actually a huge molecule, and the reason people can’t normally see it is because it’s coiled very tightly into chromosomes. Extraction experiments allow the DNA to clump together.

Website for Teaching Children About Genetics

The University of Utah run the Genetic Science Learning Center site. The page called Tour of the Basics includes sections on DNA, genes, chromosomes, proteins, heredity and traits. These sections are presented in simple language with pictures to aid understanding. There are pauses after each step, which may be useful for discussion.

The copyright of the article How to Teach Genetics to Children in Genetics & Evolution is owned by Barbara Melville. Permission to republish How to Teach Genetics to Children in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.