Introducing math and science to young children doesn\u2019t have to be complicated. Parents and caregivers don\u2019t have to wait until a child can solve written math problems or conduct complex science experiments. Activities such as finger painting, building blocks and baking are fun and interactive ways to build science and math skills in young kids.<\/p>\n
About 90 percent of a child\u2019s critical brain development occurs before age 5, meaning the early years represent an ideal time to introduce Science, Engineering, Technology and Math (STEM) skills to kids.<\/p>\n
\u201cYoung children learn naturally by exploring their environments,\u201d said Ginger Sandweg, First Things First senior director for early learning. \u201cWhat appears to adults as play is really forming and testing theories, and trying out different variables. This type of learning goes hand in hand with how young children learn best, using multiple senses (seeing, hearing, touching, tasting, and smelling) to discover the world around them.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to the Center for Early Education in STEM, simple childhood games can promote significant STEM skills at a much earlier age. The years before kindergarten, are a critical period to help develop these skills through fun activities that get their hands and minds working.<\/p>\n
Discover Problem Solvers: A Free Early Math Curriculum by ZERO TO THREE<\/p>\n
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Parents and caregivers can be ready with this list of great ideas to keep your child busy and build those early skills for STEM. First Things First offers these activities:<\/p>\n
Families can help kids develop critical thinking and reasoning skills by asking questions like:<\/p>\n
In addition, parents can share their knowledge, early on. Things that may seem obvious to us \u2013 like weather changes, traffic patterns and the change in an egg when it\u2019s cracked, then cooked – are fascinating new concepts for children that give them a foundation from which to build future knowledge.<\/p>\n
By encouraging the development of STEM skills in the early years, we help kids learn by experimenting with their environments and give them skills that will help them be successful in school and in life. In addition these STEM building activities help to instill a love of learning and imagination. So, remember to have fun and use everyday moments as learning moments.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Activities such as finger painting, building blocks and baking are fun and interactive ways to build science and math skills in young kids.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":17363,"template":"","tags":[74],"class_list":["post-17360","first-things","type-first-things","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-early-learning"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n