Your children’s teachers may be drilling the importance and benefits of STEM education and exploration into their heads, but how can you continue to emphasize STEM’s value in the home? Continue reading for six ways parents can support STEM habits when school is not in session.
Books
The dual benefit of exposing your child to STEM-themed books is that they are enhancing both their reading skills and STEM knowledge. Take a family trip to the local bookstore or library and escort your children to the science section or the like. Consider checking out this NSTEM blog post entitled “Books for Teaching STEM at Home”. It is geared towards students in grades K-8 and can provide great inspiration for your book search.
Projects for a Rainy Day
Science projects and activities are the perfect way to get your children’s hands dirty and minds buzzing with excitement. Most projects only require common household items. The best place to look for project, experiment, and activity ideas is NSTEM’s Pinterest page. We have an entire board solely dedicated to this topic and it is catered to all ages. At NSTEM, we are big proponents of project-based learning. Read more about why on our website!
Seek Out Answers Together
Kids are natural questioners. They are always seeking to expand their understanding of the world, hence the incessant “why?”. The next time your curious youngster poses a question that completely stumps you, embark on a search together. Head over to the computer and research the answer side-by-side. This act will promote your child to seek for answers themselves and teach them basic research skills.
Subscribe to Science Magazines
Even better than a book, magazines provide you with consistent STEM material that your child will pore over. They will look forward to their subscription every few weeks and be up-to-date on the latest in the field. For younger children, try National Geographic Kids, Ranger Rick, and Kids Discover. For more advanced readers, check out Science News, Science, and Scientific American. These subscriptions also make for the perfect gift that keeps on giving!
Adventures Beyond the Home
There are infinite ways to engage with science outside the household or classroom. Search for science museums in your area that are kid-friendly. Consider investing in a membership so that you can always check out their latest exhibit. If there are no science-geared museums near you, try a hike! Consider attending a national park tour or just leading your crew on your own. Encourage your children to practice reading maps, orienteering, and identifying birds and other animals seen along the way. Hiking and nature walks are a fantastic way to instill a care for our planet. Visiting local zoos and aquariums are yet another great way to stimulate this excitement in children.
Kick it Old School
Nothing hits the spot like a sweet glass of lemonade. And it just may help improve your mini mathematicians’ skills too! Lemonade stands involve a lot more than meets the eye; a good salesman will consider things like profit and revenue when building his/her business. Furthermore, the preparation of the drink itself involves measurements and ratios. Engage all these skills for a secretly educational activity your child will love.
When all else fails, remember that simply talking to your child about what they are learning in their science and math classes can make a huge difference. Help them prepare their assessments and assist with homework when needed. Brainstorm ideas for their science fair project with them and proofread their lab reports. Parents who support their child’s STEM journey yield kids who are curious and enthusiastic about a potential STEM career.
Written by Lucy Reid
