Our kids are learning information and skills some of us never even dreamed of when we were younger. Trying to support that education at home can feel intimidating. Fear not! Our experts and moms are here to tell you how to supplement your kids' STEAM education at home. Spoiler alert: It's easier than you think.
Never stop learning
"Most parents don’t know what STEAM represents. You must ask yourself, 'What do I know? What do I want to know?' Accept the fact that we grew up in a different world. You must first educate YOURSELF! Find out what interests your children the most about science, tech, engineering, and math — and Google it. Continue the learning process. Find activities that you can do at home. Think outside the box and let your child run with it! Supporting your child’s interests today is necessary in providing them the best opportunity for succeeding tomorrow."
— Eileen Wurz, science educator and mom of two
You've got resources right under your roof
"Your home environment is filled with experiences to support STEAM. Cooking together, turning a solid into a liquid by juicing, ingredients to make play dough, gak, a volcano. Building with a variety of materials around your home, look through books to see different styles of architecture — homes and buildings. Use blocks, plastic cups, sticks, or stones. Process art by fingerpainting with shaving cream, painting on a glass window, mix paint or food coloring together, and use recyclable materials to create. Set the table, count the silverware, the cups. Make patterns, and play board games with the family."
— Christine Kyriakakos Martin, author of You've Got This! Keys To Effective Parenting for the Early Years, early education consultant, mom of three, and grandmother of two.
Screen time can be a good thing
"There are a lot of cool robot toys now that you can program. Programming is more and more key to STEAM education. Give kids screen time for the right kind of screens. They can start programming earlier and earlier. Check out scratch.mit.edu picture-based programming."
— Mellissa, Ph.D. STEM researcher and mom of three
Don't stop in summer
"Get your kids outside, paint, color, play with Lego bricks, download STEAM-type apps on your/their tablets. Do something every day that encourages these programs — especially during the summer months!"
— Dana Hewitt, mom of four
It's easier than you think
"Don't let the initials intimidate you. I often feel that I'm not equipped to help educate my kids in science, math, etc. But simply encouraging curiosity, answering questions (or Googling things together), and being mindful of learning opportunities in everyday experiences is supporting STEAM education — even when you're not aware you're doing it."
— Naomi Naughton, Mom.com team and mom of four
