AD| Exploring STEM Subjects with Your Child

As a parent, you may have seen the word “STEM” being used a lot recently. It stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths and refers to any subjects that fall under this umbrella, like Astronomy, Psychology or Medicine. There are lots of STEM based toys available for younger children to help stimulate there learning, but parents don’t have to spend money in order to expose their child to STEM concepts at home. I have teamed up with a prep school in Surrey to explore further.

By exploring STEM subjects with your child from a young age, you will help to build a strong foundation for a potential interest in these areas going forward. As a result, your child is more likely to perform well in these subject areas at school and possibly even end up having a fruitful career in related industries. Fortunately, STEM is so prominent in our everyday lives that it will be easy for you to delve into the concepts with your youngster. 

For example, next time you are out for a drive somewhere, you could talk to your child about what makes the car move. Ask them if they know what each part of the car is called and how the engine works. When you go shopping, have your child calculate how much the overall cost will be when you get to the till, and how much change you should receive if you pay with cash. This will help your youngster with their numeracy skills.

If you want to have more fun with your STEM exploration, maybe you could consider growing your own vegetables in the garden, or just trying out some simple and safe science experiments at home. Water play is great for younger children, so next time they have a bath, bring along various different objects and see if they sink, float or become soggy. 

If you’re struggling for ideas, don’t be afraid to contact your child’s teachers for some suggestions. They will be able to share some information about the school curriculum so that you can tailor your at-home activities to complement what your child is learning about at school and help them reach their full potential.