STEM is the new buzz acronym. It involves how we incorporate Science, Technology, Engineering and Math into everyday learning to improve crucial brain development in children. For many, the misconception is that STEM is introduced later in school-aged children. However, STEM begins with YOU!

Many of you probably didn’t realize that by singing, talking, readying or playing with your child that you are helping them grow through STEM. From the writers at Talking is Teaching, we can learn new and interesting ways to introduce STEM into your child’s every day world. I have picked a few of my favorites from different ages within Early Childhood.

Children up to 12 months of age

• Count, Rhyme and Sing. Use numbers as you go about your day together. Sing simple number songs like “One, two, buckle your shoe.”

• Would You Like More? You can teach about the idea of “more” which is the first step toward understanding addition. As you feed your baby, pause and ask if he/she wants more. Wait to see how she responds to your questions and follow his/her cues.

• Link Words with Actions. Say “up, up, up” when your lifting your baby. When you place them down, say “now down you go to play!” These simple words build the foundation for later math and engineering skills.

Children 12 months to 3 years of age

• Let’s Count Cars. When walking down the sidewalk or in a parking lot, count the cars together as you pass them: “1, 2, 3, 4, 5. We passed five cars to get to the store.” You can also count buses or other vehicles together while you are outside.

• Let’s be Scientists! At the grocery store, have your child hold two different pieces of fruit in their hands. Ask, “Which one is heavier? Which one is lighter?” Ask children to identify fruits or vegetables by their colors. Exploring together builds skills for future scientists!

• Cause and Effect. In your, bathroom and turn the lights off and on. “When I flip the switch up, the light goes on! What will happen if I flip it down?” They are learning about technology!

Children in preschool

• Why? Questions. Did you know that when young children ask “why?” questions, they are being scientists! If you don’t have the answer, be scientists and research the answer together.

• Math Walk and Talk. Take a math walk on the way to the bus. As you walk, play a game where you and your child need to take “four big steps,” find “six pebbles” or touch “seven green leaves.” Ask and work together to solve how many questions, such as “How many steps from the front door to the sidewalk?”

• What Comes Next? You can use snack time to make patterns: place a strawberry, a cracker, and a slice of cheese in a repeated line across the plate. On a walk, use a BIG-step, little-step pattern. Ask your child, “What comes next?”

There are just a few of the many great ideas from Talking is Teaching. I encourage you to visit them at http://talkingisteaching.org/.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

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Carrie Kube is a director for Iowa River Valley Early Childhood Area Board. All thoughts and opinions expressed are that of the author and not the board and/or its community partners.