I need to explain evolution to a six year-old. (God)

[Nanda]

Originally Posted by Seyorni

What concepts are you thinking would be hard for a six year old to grasp, exactly?

You're not trying to explain advanced biochemistry, just the basic principles of evolution.

A baboon could understand them!

Is that so? Might I peruse your teaching plan for the baboon?

[Nanda]

Originally Posted by Autodidact

Children's educational resource Evolution mutation selection
Science News for Kids: Snapshot: Untangling Human OriginsThis one is exactly on target for his question.
Sandwalk Adventures
Life on Earth for kids 4-8.

Very helpful, thank you!

[Autodidact]

If you've ever had a litter at your house, you could start with the idea that the kittens are not identical, and that if e.g. being striped helped one kitten to survive, it could reproduce and have more striped kittens, something like that. Of course, he already knows about reproduction, right?

[Nanda]

Originally Posted by Autodidact

If you've ever had a litter at your house, you could start with the idea that the kittens are not identical, and that if e.g. being striped helped one kitten to survive, it could reproduce and have more striped kittens, something like that. Of course, he already knows about reproduction, right?

Yeah, he knows where babies come from. That one was surprisingly easy in comparison.

[logician]

There have to be a number of books about evolution geared towards children, as well as info on the internet.

[Seyorni]

Originally Posted by Nanda

Is that so? Might I peruse your teaching plan for the baboon?

Well first, get a few bananas....

No, really. The basics are simple:
1. All babies -- kittens, frogs, people --are not the same. Each is a little different from his brothers and sisters.
2. Some of the differences can helpful, and some can be a hinderance.
3. Babies with helpful differences are more likely than their brothers and sisters to grow up to be mommies and daddies themselves.
4. Mommies and daddies with helpful differences are likely to pass these on to their children.
5. After many generations the helpful difference becomes common and eventually almost all the dogs/cats/people have it.

[Autodidact]

Go Seyorni. You may find me using that explanation here on RF.

[Nanda]

By some coincidence, the evolution vs. creationism episode of The Simpson's was on last night, and he said "That's what we were talking about the other day!" So I guess he did get some of what I was trying to get across.