How to introduce kids to STEM at an early age?

The most important phase of development in a child takes place from birth to age 5. This is a period when the drive to learn through exploration is strongest in kids. In fact, kids have a capability to understand science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) concepts even when they are less than one year old. But these skills need to be fostered intentionally. STEM CAmp in Princeton

Here’s how adults can encourage STEM thinking skills among kids from an early age.

 

  1. Give children toys that have “manipulative elements” like balls and rattles. You can then ask them to control elements of these toys, like building higher towers or making the rattle softer or louder.
  2.  Build structures as it can help expand your child’s engineering and designing skills. Have your child start with building structures using household items. Let them analyze how much weight it can support? 
  3. Play with water and blow some bubbles like all childhood must. It helps your kids explore some STEM ideas! Water play introduces them to volume and weight, as they get to test which objects sink or float. On the other hand, blowing bubbles is actually an opportunity to study science concepts like light and elasticity!
  4. There is variety of STEM-related games available now days, from LEGOs and chemistry sets to DIY robots and Harry Potter coding kits! These games are not only fun but also educational. It helps in building a foundation for a future love of math, technology, science and engineering.
  5. Have children explain how simple tools in your house work, like a can opener or a door hinge. That’s STEM too!
  6. Ask “why,” “what” and “how” questions as much as possible to encourage children to think and explain the science behind everything.
  7. Don’t rely on school alone. Your child will certainly start dabbling in math, science, technology and engineering subjects during the school year, but if there is a local camp or after school program geared towards STEM learning available, sign them up! So look for a STEM learning center near you and enroll your kids.
  8. Coding and Robotics for kids is now a basic STEM curriculum,

 

Talking to kids about ideas and concepts may appear complex so find those everyday moments and talk with your kids. That’s the best start to STEM education. You don’t necessarily have to hang up on feeling like you have to teach them. Just have an experience with them that’s tapping into the wonder of how math and science and engineering is all around us.

If you are still wondering how to give your kid a jump start to STEM, explore and find the best STEM learning center near in Princeton New Jersey.