Why Is STEM Important in Early Childhood Education?

Did you know that in 1970, women made up eight percent of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) workers? By 2019, that number had increased to 27 percent.

This is progress, but there’s still a lot more room to grow here. This number could grow even faster if STEM education was introduced earlier on in the curriculum.

But that’s not the only reason why STEM education needs to be emphasized in the American school system.

In this article, we will look at why is stem important in early childhood education.

STEM Education Can Help Children Use Their Brains Better

The brilliant thing about STEM learning is that it helps children learn how to engage their brains in more creative and unique ways. It helps them build their critical thinking skills and that can help them with other disciplines, and subjects.

It doesn’t mean that if early childhood education made STEM learning an emphasis that it would stop focusing on all other aspects of learning like literary skills or language. Emphasis on STEM education will help them become faster learners in literary subjects and vice versa. Learning is interconnected in that manner.

Better to Build STEM Education When They Are Younger

When children are young, their brains are primed to take in knowledge in a very special fashion. Their young minds are most malleable and curious. If the education system can establish a love or curiosity or even thirst for STEM subjects so early on, the children will keep this with them on a lifelong basis.

STEM Learning Doesn’t Only Include Computers

There’s a myth that surrounds STEM learning that says it only includes computer learning, but that’s not true. Block play, gardening, puzzles, museum visits, and such related items are all related to STEM education. It doesn’t require the investment of an enormous amount of resources to purchase high-tech equipment.

A lot of parents can get their children interested in STEM subjects by using mobile apps. This is a great way to dispel the myth that a child needs to be a certain age before they start showing interest in STEM learning. Another thing that parents can do is help children with their STEM homework so they don’t get left behind in classes.

If you wish to establish a bright future for all children, building a basic STEM education into their curriculum is crucial, if not critical, to help them stay competitive in future markets.