No. I wrote The Little Thesis so a parent with no science training can use it comfortably. Every page on this site explains the idea behind the picture in plain language and gives you a few questions to ask. Your job is to be curious with your child, not to have the answers.
Teaching children in the classroom showed me that the grown-up who asks "I wonder why?" out loud does more for a child's thinking than the one with every answer ready. You already have what this book needs.
What each page does for you
Open any coloring page, such as page 27, The Crystal Ball, and you will find:
- A one-line story to read aloud.
- "About this page," a short note for grown-ups that explains the research idea in everyday words.
- "Talk about it while you color," three questions you can ask as they are, word for word.
That is all the preparation a page needs. Reading the note takes a minute or two.
What to say when you don't know
Your child will ask things you cannot answer. That is a gift, not a problem. Try:
"I'm not sure. How could we find out?"
That sentence is the whole research process in miniature. It is what Curious Bunny would say, and it is what Chapter 2, The Library of Leaves is about: looking up what others already know.
You are not grading anything
There are no right answers to the discussion questions. When a guess turns out wrong, that is part of research too. Page 77 puts it simply: "Even a 'No' is a discovery!" If you want words for those moments, What do I say when my child's guess turns out wrong? has some.
If you want a little more
A few blog posts give you extra confidence without homework:
- 10 questions to ask while your child colors
- From observation to publication, which explains all six research steps in kid-friendly terms
Read them if you like. You can also start today with nothing but a crayon and page 1.