According to the New York Times, 65 % of kids today may end up entering the workforce in a job that does not exist today.
How do you prepare your child for a job that doesn’t even exist yet?
STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) combines thinking like a scientist or mathematician with creativity. Being an innovator requires being able to think both critically and creatively.
Your child may not be a doctor or a lawyer but instead grow up to work in an industry that we can’t even imagine today.
As a parent of a young child, your child’s career choice may seem far off in the future but….
You can help prepare your child to become a successful adult, today by fostering your child’s innovative and creative thinking.
STEAM activities help foster creative thinking and problem-solving skills, essential skills no matter what your career path your child will choose.
Rather than spend money on toys, kits or packaged sets that have an attended purpose or outcome, give your child the tools to inspire their wonder and sense of curiosity.
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The gift guide below serves as a starting point to provide the tools and resources that allow your child to explore, discover and experiment.
Science:
Exploring, experimenting and discovering should be the key focus in preschool science activities. Science tools help inspire your child to discover, wonder and ask, “what happens if…”
- Primary Science Lab Set
- Plastic Beaker Set
- Pipettes
- Plastic Animals for Creative Play
- Stomp Rocket *On the box it says for ages 6 and up but both my son and daughter have enjoyed it at age 4. You do have to stomp hard on it, but it is such a simple idea yet lots of fun and engaged learning.
- Snap Circuits Jr. * This is recommended for older ages. However, I introduced it to my son when he was 5 which is why I am including it in this list. He loved being able to physically make a light turn on and off and run a motor. It is pretty cool!
Technology
- Digital Camera Nikon CoolPix *Yes, I recommend a real (but cheaper) digital camera for your preschooler. Be sure to get a wrist strap for it and teach your child to wear the wrist strap (most cameras have it included in the package).I suggested the Nikon one because we have the older model and it still working, but any low-end digital camera is a great starting camera rather than the bulky kid model cameras. (I recommend those for toddlers).
- Large Calculator
- Kindle Fire
- LulzBot 3D Printer *Before you roll your eyes and say, “no way am I buying my preschooler a 3d printer”. Hear me out…First of all, we don’t own a 3d printer…yet. I have not personally tried the LulzBot printer, but it did receive Editor’s Pick in PC Magazine.I do believe if your child has a passion and interest in technology and making things this is a great gift for you and your child to learn how to create 3d objects together.This is the future.
Engineering
This list is pretty much all of my son’s favorite things but my daughter, M-Woww (4) also loves to build with them. Open-ended building materials provides lots of opportunities for problem solving and creative play.
Art
When purchasing art supplies for your preschooler it is worth investing some quality art supplies. Not only does the supplies last longer but the colors are more vibrant and in my experience when it says washable it really means washable. The brands listed below are exactly what I use with my own young artists.
- Crayola Washable Finger Paint
- Sargent Arts Washable Tempera Paint
- Sargent Arts Liquid Water Colors
- Prang Traditional Watercolor Pan Set
- Paint Brushes
- Quality Watercolor Paper
- White Card Stock Paper
- Crayons, Markers, Glue, Scissors
- Pipe Cleaners
- Googley Eyes
- Beads
- A variety of colored tape
Math
Make math fun by incorporating the tools listed below into your child’s play. Count cars, measure baby dolls….. by involving math skills into your child’s play you make learning fun and keep your child engaged.
These books listed below help you get started and be inspired this holiday season with STEAM! Check them and quickly get started engaging your child hands-on learning and exploring!
Books:
STEAM Kids Christmas Activity Coloring Book (digital ebook)
STEAM: STEM Activities for Christmas (digital ebook)
What a great idea to give the kids the tools that they need to follow their interests!