What is STEM? It’s an abbreviation of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. These subjects are obviously vital in any child’s education but they don’t always interest all children. Whether your child is a budding engineer or software developer or more naturally inclined towards the arts, it’s important to explore STEM with them – particularly whilst they’re young.

Having fun with STEM

Injecting fun into the sciences is surprisingly easy. If you live in a larger town or city, you will probably find multiple learning resources at your local museums. Some museums have interactive exhibits which are designed to engage children in the various branches of STEM. If not, don’t worry! You can explore these things at home and whilst you are out and about.

Your child is probably already engaging in STEM learning on a daily basis – when they play with building bricks, pick up objects of interest on a nature walk, make their own car with boxes and the lids from jars and even when they help you bake or cook in the kitchen. The trick is to use these playtime activities to kick start their curiosity.

Discussion and open-ended questions

When your child is particularly interested in a STEM related activity, you can ask them questions about what they are doing. For example – you can set them up to make a cart out of old boxes as mentioned above. Provide them with the raw materials and also with an example – a toy car. Ask your child “How can we build our own?”

Even little children will have some ideas of how to begin. If you see them going off on the wrong road, don’t intervene. Just be there to ask them how they can fix the issue when they notice their vehicle doesn’t move!

Similarly, teach whilst allowing them to experiment in the kitchen. Show them how scales work and ask them to weigh different objects whilst guessing which will weigh more. This is a great way to show children that size doesn’t always equal heaviest. Your child will grow into a more enquiring adult if they are given the chance to learn through experience.

This private school in Middlesex injects fun, STEM activities into their pupils lives as often as possible with activities days which include puzzle solving and science workshops. And all children love to learn – they’re wired that way.