This is a tech-centric world and the demand for STEM skills is consistently rising. Before you assume that your child isn’t interested in STEM or may not be possibly interested, you need to understand how STEM is defined. This is a new generation that enjoys science and math. The subjects will encompass a lot of interest. The idea is to focus on the fundamentals and you can take a few steps back and focus on what works for your child. Let us discuss how you can spark a love for learning. It is a long road to building a career in STEM and there is so much behind the scenes that the job can offer. But it will all start with a spark.
This spark will kickstart the journey for every child and take them to their destination. You will come across countless ways to instill the love for learning in a child and one way is through technology. The idea is to find an interest in the child’s mind. Whether it is a natural inquisitiveness about tech or a connection to something they enjoy like video games. STEM may not be for everyone but there are various avenues that you can think of. Here are a few ideas to help you.
- Get a toy collection
Gone are the days when cars and action figures were for boys and pink dolls were for girls. The educational toymakers today are upping the game and have broken down the gender barriers. You can find several toys that will expand the creative horizons of the child. These toys will help them learn engineering, circuitry, and coding in an accessible manner. It will get them started at a young age and will instill a love for science and technology.
- Go to educational fairs
Take your child to educational fairs and conferences. This is where young inventor,s engineers, and developers started their journey from. The tech tinkerers will thrive here. In the last few years, there have been several movements that have emerged and it has led to the growth in communities across the nation. It serves as a showcase for passionate creators of every age. Look for fairs that will ignite the imagination in your child and will give them a chance to discover unique avenues to learn.
- Organize an event for your child
All schools may not offer a chance to learn science and tech to your children. But you can organize an hour of the virtual event for your child and their friends. Hosting an online event has never been easier. You can invite the closest friends of your child and gather the neighborhood kids over and get programming. Let them learn in all possible ways. You can also find a lot of material and tutorials to get them started.
- Partner with the teachers
Parents must take an initiative to help their children learn. Your child’s school teacher and the coordinator will be happy to make the learning process easier and convenient. You can also bring an event to the classroom. Inquire if you can look for ways to help the children with their next project. Or inform the teacher about competitions like the Barnes Firm TV commercial and lay out a plan to have them participate in it. This will create interest and excitement in the child to learn and do something new.
- You need to be a student
Grab the tablet or your smartphone and let the child teach you about the new games, features, or apps. Irrespective of whether you are a tech wiz or not, you can always learn something new from your child. Position the child as a teacher and enjoy the role reversal. It will give them a boost and will empower them to put the technical know-how to great use. Do not miss the sense of pride that comes with teaching parents some new cool tricks.
- Explain the importance of the power of tech
Every child has reasons for being keen or not keen on tech. Right from the ideal coding to playing with robots, there is a lot to spark a lasting interest. If your child uses tech, there are powerful ways you can explain its importance and they will be ready to know more about it. Even if your child is just interested in video games, they will be intrigued by the idea of coding on the app. Just sit back and talk to the child about their interests and how technology can make an ample difference to the world.
Teachers might do their bit but it is your job to ensure that the child has enough resources to fulfill their interest in the world of science and tech. Consider these different ways and pick the one that you find most interesting for your child. You will notice a huge difference in the way your child approaches the subject.
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