Understanding STEAM Education

Steam an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics is experienced naturally while children are busy playing, exploring and trying new things. Their keen investigation and inquiries about little things leads exploring, learning and experimenting with new ideas ultimately enhancing their Steam skills. It has been observed that there is a very close knit relation between early Steam skill sets and the future success of children.

Steam education can be incorporated and introduced to a toddler as early as possible. It is not about teaching mathematical equations or getting the tables mugged up. It depends upon how often you engage your child in various and small activities with you. A child learns while mixing up colors, playing building blocks, identifying various flash cards and similar activities which we do not look upon the way they should be. Parents, teachers and educators can foster and enhance these Steam skills by providing them with materials and opportunities that support exploration, interaction and discovery.

Let us figure out the different components of STEAM

S for Science

Children are born scientists. They have infinite inquisition and strong visual memories at the tender age. This gives rise to a series of scientific methods starting from observation, developing questionnaires for the things they see, making predictions, getting involved in discussions and eventually finding out the answer. Children collect data for their theories and replicate the activities done by their elders. Therefore it is very important to perform and engage children in small activities inside and away from the house.

T for Technology

Our thought process gets directed to the use of modern gadgets like computers, mobile phones, i-pads etc. when we encounter the word technology. But technology is just not limited to these. Any man-made object resulting into making tasks easier for human beings can be termed as technology. It is important to make children understand that how the use of these simple tools makes us accomplish the tasks conveniently. For example, when a child plays with a car, we must teach him the role of wheels in smooth movement.

E for Engineering

A fusion of science, technology and maths is what is engineering. Engineering is utilizing materials, outlining, creating, and constructing. Engineering carves the understanding quotient of a child and develops a critical thinking approach. Engineering may sound as the subject of adults to many but while building a blocks, making sand hills, joining rail tracks, making froth out of soap are all examples where children act as little engineers.

A for Arts

STEAM originated as STEM. After years of research and mind drilling Arts was incorporated. A stands for arts and arts has emerged to be an important aspect in a child’s development. Art enhances creativity and sensory exploration. Art is the best means of communication and expression of ideas, feelings and views even before a child learns to read or write. The world of colors supports in the cognitive development of children.

M for Mathematics

Mathematics surrounds a person right from birth to his death in different forms. Toddlers are introduced to maths in the form of geometrical shapes and spatial relationships when they acknowledge various shapes, fruits, vegetables and similar objects. The knowledge of ‘more’ and ‘less’, sequencing, numbers, shapes, volumes develops their mental ability and boosts up their reasoning skills.

The early play with STEAM ideas establish the framework for the development of more mind boggling math and science abilities later on. The more they play, the more they begin to build the foundations much needed for the rest of their lives. Parents and teachers must therefore play a vital role in orchestrating the environment and encouraging their children to play and make sure it is favorable for the STEAMexplorations.