STEM is an abbreviation for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. It’s a branch of education that is more oriented toward natural sciences, and because of the rapid improvement of modern technology, these jobs are valued more than ever in human history.
Now, everyone knows that STEM jobs are in demand, offer higher job security, are well-respected, and pay incredibly well. This is why a lot of parents encourage their kids to pursue STEM education. The only question is, how young is too young for STEM?
To answer this question, let’s delve a bit deeper into all the benefits of STEM education for kids and what some of the youngest learners stand to gain from this.
- This is when the mind is the most open
Younger children are quicker to learn; in fact, there’s a huge difference between adopting knowledge vs. learning. Just think about the way we learn language. Some people are bilingual because they’ve listened to two languages growing up. The reason why we don’t say bilingual for someone who learned a language later in life (even if they’re incredibly proficient) is because it’s never the same.
Well, the same goes for stem (it’s not language-exclusive).
Also, learning can be quite tenuous the older you get. You’re already tired, and there are so many other things that you would rather do. Also, there are some prejudices about learning being a chore and, therefore, not being fun. Children have no such prejudices. If an activity (like an experiment) is fun, they don’t care if you label it as homework, job, or play.
If they’re good at something and receive praise for it, chances are that they’ll develop a genuine liking for the activity. Now, make no mistake, STEM is hard, and there’s a reason why there are no more people in this field. However, even the hardest things are easy when you have a genuine passion for them. This way, you can ensure that your kids have a future in STEM education (by starting them out just a tad earlier).
Lastly, creativity and imagination are at their peak at a young age. One of the biggest prejudices against stem is that, because it’s so scientific, factual, and number-based, it’s the opposite of creativity. There’s nothing further from the truth. Some of the hardest equations in the history of math were solved by people who could think outside the box (not those who calculated fastest).
- Preparing them for the future
Sure, you want to give them a chance to choose what they want to do in life, but by setting them on a solid path, you’re preparing them for success. STEM jobs are, in modern day and age, superior in every way.
First, they are great for later schooling. No matter what course or curriculum you enroll your kids in, it’s important to understand that STEM skills are highly appreciated and will have a great effect on their grades.
Second, if they’re academically inclined, there’s plenty of room for them. It’s a prejudice that academia is currently dominated by humanities. The real reason behind this is the fact that people in STEM (people with STEM degrees) usually have better (at least more lucrative) options. Therefore, the top picks of every generation usually leave higher education to someone else.
As we’ve mentioned, STEM jobs are incredibly well-paid. According to some statistics, it is roughly 26% more than the national average. On top of it, there are more STEM jobs than ever before and this trend is going to pick up further in the future. Since STEM specialists are always in high demand (and harder to train and replace), you have far greater job security.
But there’s even more. You see, the thing about STEM is that these jobs also offer greater flexibility. In an era where people are constantly overworked, and there’s an epidemic of burnout, a lot of people are willing to sacrifice a portion of their income for more free time.
In STEM, you would be able to find a well-paying job that also allows you to establish a healthy work-life balance.
- Fun and useful
Your kids may actually find STEM to be more fun than traditional curriculums, and there are many reasons for this.
First, they get to learn by experimenting with different tools, methods, and formats. This means that they have a chance to learn through play-like experiences. Let’s be completely honest and admit that, even as adults, we sometimes daydream about being scientists conducting interesting, groundbreaking, or even dangerous experiments. This way, you can set them on the path of truly living this life.
Another thing you can do by providing them with STEM education is to insist on the concept of doing something useful and relevant. A lot of people are dissatisfied with their jobs because they don’t feel like what they work matters. This will never be the case with STEM. The sense of purpose is ever-present.
STEM is all about understanding how the world works in practice. Sure, theoretical physics may have better explanations on where we came from, but when it comes to questions like how things move, how specific pieces of tech work, etc. STEM is second to none.
Aside from that, STEM education helps your kids develop and hone skills that will last them a lifetime. We’ve already mentioned creativity, but STEM also insists on problem-solving and critical thinking. Once they learn how to ask the right questions and doubt every answer, they’ll excel even in literature. However, this life lesson can originate from their involvement in STEM.
Lastly, many of these experiments depend on their ability to work with others, which is why they might also learn about collaboration.
Wrap up
It’s never too early to start with STEM education. All the studies suggest that the earlier you start, the more impressive the results will be. This is why STEM makes sense even when it comes to the youngest learners. One might argue that this is where it makes the most sense. Here, they’re the most susceptible to the positive sides of STEM education, and it’s during this stage that they’re the most susceptible to some of the most essential STEM principles.