Growing up, you might not have been a science person — and math? Well I’m sure I’m not the only one whose Algebra II days are long behind them. But when it comes to our kids, we all try things that we’re not necessarily comfortable with. If your child is interested in STEAM (that's Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Math) — or you’re trying to get them to understand STEAM better — it might be outside your comfort zone, but CafeMom spoke with experts who shared how STEAM can not only be a good skill set for your kids to learn — and it can make you a better parent, too. Really!
Dr. Jaunine Donley, director of STEAM and Agricultural and Environmental education director at the Milton Hershey School, tells CafeMom that it’s all about becoming a role model for your kids.
I know, I know, it might seem impossible to think of yourself as a role model when it comes to things like outside your comfort zone, but Donley tells us that it is possible.
“STEAM is another way to be a great role model for your child,” she says.
“It doesn’t matter if you were good at science or math, you just need to model an open mindset. Your child will see that and feel confident to explore, investigate, and ask questions. Model that for your child and it’s a launch point for anything.”
It can also set the tone of what learning should look like.
Or so says Anike Sakariyawo, an educator and the CEO/founder of S.E.E.K (Seeking Education Empowers Knowledge) Foundation, Inc., a mobile and online nonprofit that services children from ages 3-18 in STEM/STEAM education, health, fitness and community involvement.
“Learning always starts at home,” she tells CafeMom. “STEAM, like any other subject, can help parents better connect with their children if they are engaged in their learning.”
And STEAM also encourages parents to be engaged — which can be an asset when doing any activity with your kids.
According to Sakariyawo, doing STEAM activities can help parents become aware of their child’s interests.
“And they will also get to know their personalities better,” she says. “That depth of knowledge about your child will help you be more effective as a parent.”
Which means that you’ll have more insight on how to guide your child as they tackle new obstacles — both in the classroom and out.
Doing STEAM activities together can also help encourage kids toward the sciences.
Look, not everyone has to grow up to be a doctor, but raising kids who are curious about the world around them and how the world works is something that we can all agree is important.
“According to a 2014, study from George Mason University in Virginia, 65.5% of surveyed students said science experiences with a family member or a childhood activity piqued their initial interest in science,” Sakariyawo tells us.
Of course, any time spent with your kids will be memorable, but doing STEAM activities together can create lasting memories and facilitate important bonding time.
In this case, it really is OK if you don’t know everything. As Sakariyawo tells us, "It is good for children to see our vulnerabilities. Also, it is great for them to see us try new things even when we are not well-versed in them.”
STEAM can be a blank canvas where both parents and kids can gain an appreciation for “innovation” she says and more importantly “STEAM allows opportunity to be silly, playful, have fun, and learn something new in the process with your child.”
Which sounds like the perfect parenting activity to us!
