Congratulations! You’ve done the impossible, you’ve gotten your child interested in doing an educational activity — and it’s a STEAM (that’s Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Math) activity to boot. But before you take your victory lap around the house, you might have a slight moment of panic remembering that you have to help with the STEAM activity — when I don’t know about you, but I haven’t picked up a science textbook since high school. But have no fear! There are ways for even the least STEAM-savy parents to help their kids with little know-how themselves. Trust us.
CafeMom spoke with two experts in education and STEAM, who assured us that any parent can help their kids with their STEAM projects — yes, even you!
Anike Sakariyawo, educator and CEO/founder of the mobile and online nonprofit S.E.E.K (Seeking Education Empowers Knowledge) Foundation, Inc, first wants parents to first remove any shame they may feel when it comes to STEAM activities.
“During the pandemic it was well documented how parents struggled with helping their children keep up with the school day and with homework,” she tells us. “That was just with the typical subjects (i.e. reading, arithmetic, etc.). It was almost an insurmountable task for parents to also provide support with their children's STEAM learning and development.”
Which is why she advises parents to become their child’s “learning partner” and not stress things too much.
"Just participate in the learning and help your child connect their project to the practical world,” she says.
Dr. Jaunine Donley, director of STEAM and Agricultural and Environmental Education Director at the Milton Hershey School, agreed — a stressed parent doesn't help anybody.
“STEAM activities are really all around us and they don’t need to be complicated or cost anything,” Donley says. “A lot of it is really just a willingness to observe, investigate, and use your imagination. When we do a STEAM activity, we are really just investigating the world around us and that’s a journey any child and parent can take together.”
Sakariyawo emphasizes that consistently making time to do STEAM activities together is a good way to set up the habit.
She advises parents make a “help me if you can” system with your child — meaning parents should let their kids take control and “actively listen to their needs.”
Another tip from Sakariyawo: “Ask your child to role play what they think their project is about. They can pretend to teach you as the parent.” That way you can reinforce ideas and explore concepts together — plus, “this allows engagement with laughter and learning,” she adds.
And making these activities feel like fun is something we can all agree is important.
Parents and kids should also “learn together,“ Sakariyawo says.
Even if that means finding a project on YouTube and sharing that with your kids.
“For example, making lotion. It is as simple as three ingredients and you can ask your child to share a science topic that he or she thinks applies to this scenario,” she explains.
Donley adds that parents don’t need to think of STEAM activities as being complicated.
In fact, there are some STEAM activities that might seem incredibly simple — but yes, they’re STEAM.
“There are a lot of outdoor STEAM activities that are really easy,” she says. “For example, head outside and collect leaves in the fall. Look at the range of colors and patterns, whether they are decaying, or if some leaves are dropping from their trees faster than others. Incorporate math by measuring and comparing leaf sizes or bring technology into the mix by downloading a free app on your phone that helps you analyze them.”
Another simple STEAM activity is to take two Styrofoam cups, place their bottoms together, and use “a rubber band around the middle to launch it,” she says.
Then take a video of the launch with your phone and replay the video in slow motion to track its path. Donley says to try the activity again with different sized cups to compare the results.
“Don’t buy anything special, just use what’s around you,” she says. “Whether you realize it or not, that’s STEAM.”
Ultimately, Sakariyawo advises parents to get involved with their child’s learning both at school and outside of it.
“Take an interest in your child's project by participating in STEAM local events with parent engagement (STEM/STEAM Saturdays held by local companies, science museums, school events, etc.)” she says.
The big thing to remember is — don’t panic! Running into the unknown is all a part of the process. If you can show your kids that being curious is more important than being perfect, then you’re probably on the right track.
