Inside: Ways you can explore STEM subjects with your child. Advertorial collaboration.
Your child will study Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths subjects at school, but you can support their learning at home through everyday activities. STEM learning helps children develop a number of different and important skills, such as investigative and problem-solving skills. Nurturing your child’s interest in these subjects will help them get the most out of their school-based learning. Read on for some tips from an international school in London on ways you can explore STEM subjects with your child.
Learn outdoors
There are plenty of opportunities for learning in the great outdoors. Take your child to the beach and talk about the different materials you see. While they’re playing with sand and water you can talk to them about states of matter.
A simple walk in the woods will give you a chance to discuss animal habitats and ecosystems and ask your child questions about what they see and hear to encourage their natural curiosity about the world. You could even just take a picnic to the park and talk about the weather and the environment. There are many ways to incorporate STEM learning into outdoor activities.
Use your home
You can help your child learn about STEM subjects through getting them involved in everyday household tasks, such as shopping and cooking. Bake a cake or prepare a meal together and get your child to weigh and measure ingredients to practise their Maths skills.
When you’re out shopping, ask them to add items up in their head before you get to the checkout, and talk about concepts such as distance and time on the drive home. Ask your child to help you clean the house and discuss killing bacteria with cleaning products, and doing some DIY provides an opportunity for them to learn about different materials.
Learn through play
Building a tower out of blocks or playing with water gives your child a chance to learn about various STEM subjects. Ask them to count how many blocks you have and identify shapes to enhance their Maths skills, or talk about different forces and volumes while transferring water from one container to another.
Incorporate technology
You’ll be able to find many educational TV programmes or computer games which teach your child about STEM topics in a fun and engaging way. If they’re a highly visual learner they might find it easier to understand concepts delivered in this way.
Just incorporating STEM subjects in everyday activities will give your child a head start at school while fostering their natural interest in the world.