STEM subjects – science, technology, engineering, and math - are commonly disliked subjects among children, especially girls. However, that does not have to be so. By introducing our children to real life applications, we parents can get them to be amazed at the wonders that come alive and have them asking for more.
In her online blog titled How to Get Your Kids Interested in STEM (Without Forcing it on Them), writer Melanie Pinola gives some very good advice for some real life applications:
1. Introduce food science while cooking, as children will love to eat the results. In fact, there are many books that have edible science experiments for children.
2. While shopping with your children or doing banking, encourage them to participate with numbers. For example, you can compare the costs of similar store items and have them do simple calculations in their heads. Also, talk to them about how interest works. I assisted my sons with opening up their own savings accounts with their accumulated allowance money when they were very young and talked with them about how a bank will pay them interest on their money. Have them calculate what the interest is every month.
3. Play STEM games with your children and buy them STEM toys. One of the most favored STEM toys, especially with boys, are the Lego building blocks. One of my nephews only wants gifts of these blocks and his bedroom is filled with all the different building projects he has completed.
4. Watch STEM shows, especially those that cater to children.
STEM subjects are critical to the development of our economy and will provide our children with good-paying, secure careers. So, let’s start them at a young age learning and appreciating all that they can offer.
Read her entire blog by CLICKING HERE.