And 4 other ways to prepare your child for a STEM career
From prenatal vitamins to preschool waiting lists — even before your little nugget is born, you do things to give them a leg up in life. And toy manufacturers know it.
Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy
Enter STEM toys, which run the gamut from Legos to make-your-own robot kits. But are these toys the key to unlocking your child’s potential?
STEM toys are designed to stimulate your child’s interest and skill in science, technology, engineering or math. And it’s obvious why parents are buying in. According to a Commerce Department study, STEM jobs are growing faster than non-STEM jobs. In 2015, people who worked in STEM fields earned 29% more than those who worked in other fields.
But according to pediatric behavioral health specialist Amy Lee, PhD, you may want to think twice before opening your wallet too wide. Your home (and the great outdoors) already contain everything you need to build up your child’s STEM love and skills. Who knew?
As tablets and other tech continue to be marketed to and for children, warnings from the pediatric health community are getting louder. “Early access and exposure to screens and screen time is detrimental for child development,” states Dr. Lee.
She says there’s even some research showing an increase in children being referred for occupational therapy for sensory integration problems. Symptoms of sensory problems include oversensitivity to the environment, being uncoordinated and having difficulty engaging in play. There’s some evidence that these problems are related to having less free and outdoor play.
Free play is exactly what it sounds like: play in which children can do what they want. It should be fun, unstructured and technology-free. And it’s critical to a child’s development.
Benefits of free and outdoor play:
And as it happens, explains Dr. Lee, these are the exact skills people need to excel in STEM fields.
Think about the skills involved in science. You need to ask open-ended questions, manipulate the environment and problem-solve. Problem-solving is also critical in math, along with sustained effort and attention, repetition and practice.
To cultivate these talents, you need exposure to people and the natural world — not the latest gadgets. Give your children ample opportunity to interact freely with their environment. That will help them develop the STEM skills needed to harness the power of techie tools.
“The idea of STEM toys capitalizes on parental anxiety about their kid falling behind. But no child, unless they’re living in a bubble, is going to be technologically illiterate in this era,” assures Dr. Lee.
We can teach things that look flashy, exciting and advanced, but we’re missing essential skills if we go there too soon. STEM toys should be add-ons to enhance play, not the main event.
The bottom line: Send your kids outside to play, and stay strong in the face of “I’m bored!” complaints. Not only will they have a chance to hone their STEM skills naturally, but they may even thank you later.
How else can you help build your child’s brain?
If you want to go STEM, Dr. Lee recommends lower-tech versions, such as Legos and K’Nex. “Choose things that involve building or creating. Look for toys that are interactive, involve open-ended solutions and encourage collaboration. Those are the building blocks of STEM.”
Learn more about our editorial process.
Kids’ yoga can help kiddos become more aware of their physical, mental and emotional selves
PFAS chemicals that make life easier aren’t always so easy on the human body
Vomiting and fevers are a hard no — other symptoms are a judgment call
If your child is nervous or apprehensive about school, communication is key
This fine motor skill marks an important milestone in your baby’s development
Maturity and safety matter more than age
There’s no magical age or height — it’s all a matter of your baby’s mobility
Factors like genetics and nutrition, and even disease and medication, can affect height
Your metabolism may torch 1,300 to 2,000 calories daily with no activity
A gentle touch in all the right places may help drain your sinuses