Parents: What can YOU do to Help your Child Succeed in STEM Education?
By: Emily W.
Every parent wants their child to succeed in life. One of the most promising ways to do so is to invest in their education, particularly in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). As a parent, you play a crucial role in nurturing your child’s interest in these subjects and supporting them throughout their academic journey.
So, how can you ensure that your child succeeds in STEM education? It starts with providing them with the right resources and setting realistic expectations.
Explore their Interests
Teacher instructing student on how to use the computer.
Firstly, it’s important to expose your child to STEM subjects from a young age. Encourage them to explore their natural curiosity and interests in science, math, and technology. Providing them with age-appropriate STEM related toys, books, and activities is a great way to gauge their potential interests. Check out our latest blog post on STEM Subscription Boxes that are low-cost and educational. As well as Fun Science Experiments at Home, to get a jumpstart on proactive learning in a fun way with your little one!
Seek out STEM Extracurricular Activities
Children learning robotics in a classroom setting.
Check with the school! Many schools offer after-school STEM programs or clubs that focus on different fields such as robotics, coding, or physics. Secondly, look for community organizations that offer STEM programs. These organizations can include museums, libraries, and science centers. They often offer workshops, camps, and classes where children can engage in hands-on activities and learn about different STEM fields. Check out the websites of these organizations or visit them in person to find out more about their programs.
Consider online resources! The internet is full of resources that can help your child learn about STEM. Websites like Khan Academy, Code.org, and Scratch offer free courses and tutorials on various subjects.
Young boy playing the ukulele.
Encourage
Encourage your child to learn an instrument! Not only does it provide a creative outlet, but it also teaches valuable math skills. By learning to count whole, half, quarter, eighth, and sixteenth notes, students can also master fractions and adding different denominators. It’s amazing how much music can enhance math education in such an enjoyable way!
Encourage them to believe in themselves! Motivate them to have faith in their abilities. Remember, depth is what really matters, not speed. Being quick doesn’t necessarily make you intelligent. As a matter of fact, most mathematicians tend to think very slowly but with great depth. As a parent, it’s important to instill in your children the valuable lesson that success often comes to those who take their time and stay persistent.
With this in mind, it’s essential to remind your little ones that the key to victory is often patience and perseverance. While mistakes may seem like setbacks, they’re actually crucial steps on the path to mastering a new skill or subject. So, encourage your children to embrace their errors and use them as opportunities to learn and grow. After all, slow and steady progress may not be the most glamorous approach, but it’s often the most effective in the long run!
In conclusion, parents play a crucial role in their child’s success in STEM education. With the constant advancements in technology, it is important for parents to encourage their children to pursue STEM fields and provide them with the necessary resources and support. By fostering a love for learning and curiosity in their children, parents can help them develop the critical thinking and problem-solving skills essential to excel in STEM subjects.
Edited by: Pedro Pablo Spoerer
