STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and math. At a really basic level, STEM learning is a hands on and problem-based learning method. STEM education is shown to help develop critical thinking skills, encourage curiosity, improve cognitive thinking and enhance creativity in children. You can start STEM education with children really early on through play and other everyday activities!
Count and Rhyme
- Count hugs and kisses during bedtime routine, or clap and count with your baby.
Link Words and Actions
- Say “Down you go!” when putting your baby on the floor to play
- Say “off” when you turn off a light and “on” when you turn it back on.
Explore Shapes and Sizes
- Use words like smallest, small, medium, big, bigger, and biggest to describe objects.
Invite Curiosity
- Pause before helping when your child is frustrated. Let them try solving their problem on their own first to help develop new ways of thinking and build their confidence.
Ask Open Ended Questions
- Avoiding questions with a simple yes/no answer allows the opportunity for children to think about their answers and elaborate on details, express thoughts, and offer opinions.
- Ask questions about characters in story books at bedtime.
Model it!
- Have your children help with cooking, gardening, and home repair work and switch up gender roles. Show children that mom can help hang pictures or hammer a nail!
- Demonstrate how you use math skills in everyday life, like when you are calculating a tip.
For more great information on STEM learning, check out the resources below!
- https://health.clevelandclinic.org/why-your-child-doesnt-need-stem-toys-to-be-a-stem-star/
- https://stemedresearch.siu.edu/what-is-stem-education/
- https://nap.nationalacademies.org/read/18612/chapter/1#vii
- https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/international-business/heres-what-every-parent-should-know-about-stem/articleshow/64173090.cms