Do You Want To Spark Your Child's Interest In STEM?

STEM is a trending topic that shows no sign of fading into the background. In fact, the STEM trend is becoming a national movement. There are also many signs showing that the acclaim of STEM is becoming a global phenomenon. Many parents are becoming aware of STEM due to its rising popularity and deepening significance in society. This means that more and more parents are doing their best to spark their child’s interest in STEM.

This piece presents some simple and effective measures that you can take to pique your child’s interest in STEM, regardless of their age level.

Toddler

The first step you can take to spark your child’s interest in STEM is to plant the seeds very early. This simply means to expose your child to STEM from a very young age. Do not make the mistake of relying on your child’s teachers to initiate the exposure to STEM. You can expose your child to STEM long before they start school. Begin to expose your child to STEM as soon as they are able to communicate and process information.

Start by getting STEM toys and books for your toddler. Next, do simple and fun STEM activities at home with your toddler. Also, make sure your toddler watches age appropriate STEM-based videos. Finally take your toddler to places where they can see STEM in action. All museums and educational venues are closed due to the pandemic, but a trip to the airport, train station, and even a construction site offer tons of awe and wonder to young minds.

Five to ten-year-old

The second step you can take to spark your child’s interest in STEM is to fully exhibit and express your passion for STEM. This step works perfectly for children between the ages of five and ten years. Children who are in the five to ten years age range have a strong sense of empathy for their parents. They know what their parents like, they try to please their parents, and they naturally mirror their parents. If your five to ten-year-old can clearly see that you love STEM, it is very likely that he/she will begin to develop a love for STEM.

It is super easy to express your passion for STEM. Let your five to ten-year-old see you reading STEM-based literature, watching STEM-based videos, and performing STEM-based tasks. Ask your child for assistance since he/she is more hands-on at this stage in life. You can also enroll him/her in online STEM programs. Most importantly, value your child’s ideas and opinions on STEM-related issues and refrain from making harsh judgments. Remember, you are playing an inspirational role. Do not be a critic!

Teens

The third steps are for parents who have teens. Teenagers are the hardest bunch for parents to influence, because teens are more interested in what their peers are doing. If your teen’s peers are not into STEM, then chances are, he/she will not be interested in STEM. The best thing you can do at this point is to show your teen that STEM is super cool.

Teenagers have to see the direct connections in order to become interested in a particular thing. You can forge STEM connections in your teen’s mind by letting him or her become aware of the fact that STEM permeates society. Throw out a few incentives, such as the fact that STEM-based careers are on the rise and that people in the STEM fields are more likely to earn higher wages than those who are in non-STEM fields. Do not hold back in letting your teen know that some of the wealthiest and most influential people in the world started out as children who were very passionate about STEM.

In closing, STEM is becoming more vital to our world as the days pass. Give your child a head start by piquing their interest in STEM before they complete high school. The sooner you begin to expose your child to STEM, the easier it will be for them to choose a STEM career/business path when they are older. Importantly, never force your child to love anything for which they have no interest. Continue to inspire and encourage your child along the lines of their natural inclinations, while finding novel ways to expose him/her to new things.