Contrary to what you might think and hear, apps and screens aren't the best tools for kids to learn STEM concepts, even coding. Why? Innovation, pattern recognition, exploration, experimentation and creation underlie STEM principles. Kids need to manipulate tangible things. It's how they learn. While there are some great apps that supplement STEM learning, the best STEM activities for kids are blended ones -- the ones that require hands-on exploration, screens optional. Those that do require screens, like ones with coding apps, should augment the experience, not be the sole focus. Many of these toys and kits are designed for classroom use but are perfectly adaptable and suitable for home use, too, as my two kids, ages five and seven, will shout from the rooftops (supervised, don't worry).
Check out these awesome blended learning STEM kits and toys. They'll have your little inventors ready to apply for their first patent in no time.
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STEM kits that will get your kid's hands dirty
ENGADGET'S GUIDE TO PARENTING
IN THE DIGITAL AGE
- Welcome to the Engadget Parenting Guide
- The best baby gadgets for new parents
- The best coding kits for kids
- How to manage your child's screen time
- The dos and don'ts of helping your kid to sleep
- A parent's guide to raising a good digital citizen
- STEM kits that will gets your kid's hands dirty
- How to quantify your baby's health in the digital age
- Using tech to keep your kids organized and on task
- The best streaming apps for kids
- The baby tech you need (and the tech you don't)
- How to buy tech gifts for other people's kids
Tech
via https://www.aiupnow.com
, Khareem Sudlow
