Preschool is all about introducing children to the world. It lays the foundation for their future learning by growing curiosity, encouraging exploration, and facilitating emotional, social, physical, and intellectual development.

An essential part of this early childhood education is understanding the world of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). When armed with a deeper understanding of how the world around them works, children learn to solve problems and find real-life solutions.

Should a preschool curriculum include STEM? Absolutely!

Preschoolers Need To Absorb As Much As Possible

Your child’s first five years are critical in terms of brain development. Their minds are constantly making connections. Neural pathways will go away if they aren’t used, so it’s important to create and foster these links.

Introductory STEM activities help build pathways in the brain that your child will use for the rest of their lives. And since their brains are primed to take in new information, why not give them some fun science to chew on?

STEM Facilitates Critical Thinking And Problem-Solving Skills

Critical thinking is the ability to analyze and evaluate a situation in order to form an opinion about it. STEM activities for kids encourage this type of thinking, teaching children how to look at things from an objective viewpoint and understand what they’re seeing.

Critical thinking and problem-solving skills can easily transfer to any aspect of your child’s life. Practicing these skills with fun STEM activities set your child up for success.

STEM Activities Lay The Foundation For Science And Math

Many kids struggle with math and science as they advance in their school careers. Often, a lack of early STEM activities is to blame. To understand the full complexity of math and science, you first need a solid foundation to work from. Preschool curriculums that include STEM activities are designed to build an instinctual understanding of math and science.

Instead of teaching kids to memorize sums, STEM activities teach them to think deeply about numbers and help them visualize basic mathematical concepts. Instead of telling kids that gravity exists, these activities show them how gravity affects objects of different weights and shapes.

STEM Expands Preschoolers’ Vocabulary

STEM activities add an entirely new set of words to your child’s vocabulary. As they learn about different STEM concepts, their minds get used to using words that they’ll need later on.

Fun STEM words that are used include:

• Theory
• Experiment
• Pattern
• Friction
• Predict
• Speed
• Observe
• Balance

Preschoolers Are Naturally Curious

If you’ve ever answered a string of “why” questions from your little one, you know that preschoolers are incredibly curious. This means they’re the perfect age to start discovering STEM concepts. In fact, children begin to understand cause-and-effect relationships before they hit their first birthday.

STEM Activities Encourage a Lifelong Love of Learning

Every educator’s goal is to foster a love of learning in the hearts of the children they work with. STEM activities celebrate exploration and creativity of thought, teaching children to view learning as their reward.

With play and experimentation, your little one grows to love the process of learning, setting them up for a fun and interesting life.

Enroll Your Child In A STEM-Inclusive Preschool Curriculum Today

STEM activities are important in a preschool curriculum. They help develop critical thinking skills, expand your child’s vocabulary, help build essential foundations for math and science, and encourage a lifelong love of discovery and learning.

At JLP Inspiring Minds, a reputable preschool in south Florida, we believe in the benefits of preschool STEM activities. We pride ourselves on providing a fun, mind-stimulating curriculum that brings out the best in every child.

If you would like to find out more about our curriculum or facilities, be sure to reach out at 954-933-2982. We can’t wait to help your child reach their full potential!