STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. It is a broad way of describing the subjects we teach in our schools. Not only do kids learn the issues themselves, but they also learn the skills they need to succeed in the fields they hope to pursue.
STEM education is becoming increasingly crucial as real-life look for well-rounded people with a solid math, science, and technology foundation. So, how does STEM education improve our kids’ learning, and why is it so crucial for kids? Let’s take a closer look.
What is STEM?
STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and math. These fields of study are profound to children interested in the future! They don’t just teach kids how to code or how to build cool robots — they also help them discover how the world around them works.
Children who grow up with a passion for science and technology may be called STEM kids. They are curious, creative, and usually excellent with numbers and problem-solving. Children with a STEM background understand how the world functions, and learn how to think critically and solve problems.
They naturally become comfortable with the idea of learning and are more likely to pursue STEM careers when they grow up. The field of STEM education is growing fast and becoming more sophisticated at the same time. The reason is simple. STEM education is essential for the future of our world. And that is why it is so essential for kids to learn STEM as young as possible.
Advantages of studying STEM
STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and math. These fields of study are often seen as the most essential elements in a student’s education, as they are the ones that shape their future careers. And for good reasons.
· STEM also teaches kids to think critically, analyze information, and solve problems.
· It teaches skills that can be used in everyday life, such as collaborating with others, writing clearly and effectively, and calculating and analyzing data.
· STEM education teaches kids how to work in teams. These skills are essential in many professions, like engineering or architecture. Some of the best teams in the world have been made up of people of different backgrounds. The best engineers and architects can work together as a team and solve problems creatively.
· STEM education teaches kids about the importance of being well-rounded.
· STEM education prepares kids for the future by teaching them the skills they need to be successful in the fields they hope to pursue.
How to help your child love math and science
Do you have a child who is struggling with STEM? Maybe they don’t understand why they have to do a particular scientific problem or don’t see the point of doing it.
You may feel like you’re driving in the dark regarding the subject, but there’s some hope. You can make it a little easier on your child and yourself by choosing the right strategy for your child.
To get your child excited about learning STEM
Children have an innate desire to learn. They also have an innate sense of curiosity. When children are excited about something, they’re much more likely to pay attention and retain the information. Play is a great way to get your child excited about learning STEM. Try these three ways to make it more fun:
· Have fun with games: Math games, science puzzles, and interactive building apps are a great way to introduce your child to new concepts and get them excited about learning.
· Make STEM interactive: You can make the subject more interactive with toys and apps. Once your child has a basic understanding of the concepts, work on procedural and visual learning.
· Make STEM relevant: You can also make learning more relevant by exploring math and science in your child’s everyday life. Ask your child what math he sees in the grocery store or how many jellybeans are in her backpack.
To make STEM fun
Science and math are often thought of as dry subjects. However, both of these subjects can be made fun and engaging. Make STEM an adventure by creating your games, puzzles, and activities. You can also try these three ways to make math more fun:
· Do puzzles and games with your child. Make up your games and puzzles. Have your child do puzzles with you.
· Incorporate it into an enjoyable activity. For example, if you’re doing addition, make a game out of addition equations. Or, if you’re doing subtraction, make a game out of counting.
· Try using something your child loves. For example, if your child loves playing with cars, try playing a game of “truck.” Put a car on each table end and have your child count how many times you move the table.
· Try using everyday tasks as a way to teach. For example, if your child loves brushing her teeth, turn brushing her teeth into a math and science lesson.
· Start with games and puzzles. Math facts, equations, and calculations are all critical. Your child can practice basic STEM skills through games and puzzles, and as they get more proficient at these skills, you can move to more complex games and puzzles.
Make STEM small and manageable.
While they may seem daunting at first, there are many ways to make math and science more accessible and more manageable. Start by doing these three things:
Learn the basic facts: Your child can do basic math and start science info. Let’s start with addition and subtraction for math and the five senses for science.
Make it visual: Visualizing STEM can make a huge difference. If you have trouble visualizing math problems, try drawing a picture that illustrates the problem. For example, if your child has difficulty visualizing 2+2, don’t draw a picture of two plus two cans stacked on each other. Instead, try drawing a picture of two people standing beside each other with their arms around each other.
Make it small: One of the primary reasons why kids have difficulty learning math is because it’s too hard. If your child struggles with a specific STEM concept, break the problem into small chunks.
Conclusion
When people mention STEM education, what comes to mind? Chances are, you think of math and science classes. While those two subjects are a big part of STEM, they’re not the only things that make up this type of learning. There’s a lot more to it than just academics!
It can feel daunting to help your child love math and science. But with a few tips, you can set them up for success in these crucial subjects. Why not enroll your child in a science and math program at Ace Tots? That way, your budding scientist will thank you!
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