Introducing STEM at an early age is critical for developing long-term interest in STEM subjects. And yet many studies show that the current K-12 education system is inadequate to address STEM educational outcomes. So it’s important to supplement the STEM learning at home.
But you don’t need fossils or even fancy coding toys to get your child on the right STEM trajectory. All you need is a little creativity and ingenuity to utilize things already lying around the house. Nor do you need to cram one more activity into an already busy schedule. Instead, incorporate STEM into your everyday routine. Here are 10 simple ways to teach STEM right out of your home.
1. Talk about water during bath. When your child is taking a bath, you can talk about buoyancy with his bath toys, at what temperature water freezes, and other cool elements of water like how the frozen state of water is actually lighter than its liquid state.
2. Play with toys. LEGOs, other building blocks and kinetic sand are all great ways to explore engineering and science.
3. Cook with your child. Baking, at its core, is chemistry. Discussions about how leavening agents can turn into a discussion about acids and bases. And recipe amounts and measuring spoons are great ways to teach math.
4. Build a dollhouse. If your child is into dolls and houses turn her into an architect for a day by designing and making one with your child.
5. Go on walks. It’s hard to appreciate nature when you’re in the car or not in close proximity to it. But taking a stroll in your neighborhood is a great way to observe the leaves, look at rocks, and various trees and plants. It’s also a great way to get a little exercise into your day.
6. Let them organize and rearrange their rooms. Your environment is very important. A messy space, for instance, makes it difficult to concentrate in. The color of the walls, type of furniture, the amount of light and the arrangement of furniture all influence your child’s mood and propensity to do things. Let them design their room in a way that optimizes space, utility and aesthetic.
7. Play board games. Chutes and ladders, chess, Monopoly, Jenga, are all great ways to incorporate strategy and math into a little competitive family fun time.
8. Apply the scientific method. Science is a way of thinking about and solving problems. Parents can help their children be prepared for school by practicing the scientific method, which includes asking questions, making observations, predicting what will happen, experimenting, and discussing findings.
9. Do simple activities. Make or build things with items you already have in the home. Use foil and let your child make something that will float. Or use marshmallows and toothpicks to build the tallest structure. Or you can even encourage your child to scavenge items to complete a challenge.
10. Read. Reading sill remains one of the best ways to learn. There are plenty of STEM books for kids now. But don’t be afraid to read grown up books on STEM either, as getting kids used to STEM-related terminology will help them feel more comfortable with STEM topics.