So many things play into choosing the right educational program for your little one. In addition to the care they receive and teachers that help guide them, the subjects they learn are essential. So, why should you look for an early childhood education program that emphasizes STEM? Why does STEM matter, anyway? Receiving STEM education when a child is young can build lifelong skills and set them up for future success, so let’s look at the benefits a STEM education provides.
What Is STEM Education?
Image by Kevin Jarrett is licensed with Unsplash License
You have likely heard that STEM education offers great value for kids of all ages. Basic STEM ideas can boost a child’s education, no matter what they ultimately decide to study and do in their future career. However, you may also wonder exactly why STEM is so important in any child’s education. STEM education IS essential, but before getting into why, it’s important to understand what STEM is.
STEM is an acronym from the first letters of the subjects Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Not so long ago, these topics received little attention in the curriculum of many schools. In today’s learning landscape, though, STEM concepts are considered essential for all modern learners to know. STEM education teaches kids science and mathematics concepts, but it goes far beyond that. STEM education focuses on hands-on learning and real-world applications, helping kids hone a wide variety of skills.
Children develop knowledge through a STEM-based curriculum that boosts their 21st-century skills, offering applications across all fields and aspects of daily life. Skills children gain through STEM education include:
- Ability to accept failure.
- Communication.
- Creativity.
- Critical thinking.
- Curiosity.
- Decision making.
- Entrepreneurship.
- Flexibility.
- Initiative.
- Leadership.
- Media and technology literacy.
- Problem-solving.
- Productivity.
- Social skills.
Children can start building these lifelong skills from a young age when their education covers STEM subjects. No matter their ultimate life path, a STEM education prepares children to be innovative. That’s a skill that goes a long way. So, lets take a closer look at the benefits of receiving a STEM education when a child is young can benefit that child for years to come.
STEM Education Leads to Future Academic Success
STEM education at a young age can predict future academic achievement. For instance, children who develop early math skills have been shown to have academic success in kindergarten to fifth grade. The early emphasis on STEM provides a foundation for future learning.
STEM Education Helps Children Thrive in a Tech-Heavy World
There’s no denying the rise of technology and a need for digital competency in today’s world. As a result, children need to develop a basic knowledge and appreciation for STEM subjects so they don’t fall behind peers as they further their studies and careers.
Many jobs of today and the future relate to STEM topics, so children who study STEM subjects in college can fill skill gaps in the workforce and find a path in an increasingly tech-savvy world. You may not be thinking about your kid’s future major when they’re young, but the truth is, exposure to STEM as a young child lays the foundation for future curiosity.
STEM Education Develops Critical Thinking Skills and Promotes Entrepreneurism
Even if your child doesn’t pursue STEM fields in the long term, STEM education will hone their ability to think critically about everything they learn. Critical thinking skills allow children to build deeper connections with subjects that can seem theoretical or vague, including science and math, but also going beyond that. STEM education lets kids practice thinking critically as they also gain experience collaborating, using their imaginations, and taking initiative.
At the same time, all those skills play into a child’s entrepreneurial spirit. Motivated self-starters have had the vision to create digital companies and more. When kids get involved in STEM at a young age, they build a foundation for real innovation.
STEM Education Brings People Together
STEM can bring people from all backgrounds and experiences together because it creates a level playing field. Passionate teachers can encourage all of their students to participate in STEM activities. Finding common interests is a great way for kids to bond with their peers.
STEM Education Makes School Exciting
Kids sometimes think school just isn’t fun, but a robust STEM curriculum can turn that idea on its head. Stimulating conversations about interesting topics and fun experiments and hands-on work can make youngsters see that school is a lot more than grades, homework, and tests. STEM is all about curiosity, and those exciting moments of discovery can make kids fall in love with STEM subjects and school overall.
STEM Education Helps Children Make Connections
A robust STEM education helps kids make connections between the core subjects. STEM may seem like four distinct subjects, but STEM education’s superpower is combining all the topics into a multidisciplinary approach. Kids who dive into STEM at a young age can more easily see how various fields connect. For example, kids get to see how math plays into engineering and how science and technology often go together. Kids can start seeing educational disciplines beyond traditional silos and learn how to think across subjects.
STEM Education Can Have Economic Benefits
Looking to the future, STEM education can set your child up for financial success in adulthood. People who major in a STEM field tend to earn a lot more than peers who study other subjects in college. An introduction to STEM early in a child’s education can help to cut down on economic disparities and close societal wealth gaps.
Pursuing a STEM major can also make college more affordable. Various colleges offer STEM scholarships and research grants for students with an interest and aptitude in STEM fields. Starting children on a path to pursuing STEM subjects early can ultimately reduce the cost of their college education later on.
Crème de la Crème’s innovative programs introduce little ones to STEM education, art, music, and more, from a young age. Curriculum elements like scientific experiments and coding and robotics let your child have fun while learning skills they’ll take with them for years to come. Contact us today to schedule a tour of your local Crème de la Crème learning center.