Did you know that your preschooler could be a budding scientist? These days, STEM and STEAM activities make it easy for even the youngest kids to learn some amazing skills. The great thing about STEAM activities is that they are fun and can be done right at home.
If you’re not familiar with STEAM and how it can benefit your preschooler, we’re going to show you how it can teach them skills they can build upon as they get older. We’re also going to share some fun STEAM activities you can do right at home with your little one.
What is STEAM?
STEAM stands for science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. STEAM learning combines all of these to guide kids of all ages to explore and learn. Just like STEM, STEAM can be taught at different levels for different age groups, even to preschoolers.
3 STEAM Activities for Preschoolers
We’ve scoured the internet for some amazing and fun activities you can do right at home with your preschoolers. They don’t require much but the lessons will blow you and your little one away!
Magic Balloon Experiments
We found some Magic balloon experiments online that are easy to do and only require some basic items you probably already have in your home.
You’ll need:
- 2 clean bottles
- yeast
- a teaspoon of sugar
- vinegar
- baking soda
- a packet of Pop Rocks candy
- a roll of mint Mentos
- a couple of empty soda bottles
- a funnel
- and balloons {You’ll want the big, regular-sized balloons rather than water balloons.}
In one bottle, you can pour about an inch of warm water and the entire packet of yeast. Swirl it around and add a teaspoon of sugar. Put the balloon over the mouth of the bottle and let it sit in the sun and watch what happens!
During another activity, you can take another bottle and half-fill it with Diet Coke. Dump a pack of Pop Rocks into it. Stretch the balloon over the mouth and watch (and hear) what happens!
There are other types of experiments you can do with bottles and balloons, mixing different ingredients and using balloons to get a variety of reactions.
Building Straw Bridges
Using straw and tape to build bridges is fun and easy. Kids can make all types of structures and then see if their bridge holds up by placing something as light as a paper cup on it.
You’ll Need:
- Straws
- Tape
- Cup
- Light objects to fill the cup
As the bridges get stronger, they can add things into the cup. They’ll be amazed at what their little construction project can make.
Free-Standing Flower Construction
When you’re looking for STEAM art projects for preschoolers, we found this one that’s fun and easy.
You’ll Need:
- Playdough
- Craft sticks
To make this happen, just have them use the sticks to connect the Playdough. The trick is to see if they can get it to stand on its own without any support.
As you can see, these projects are easy and fun, but still, get kids thinking.
The Benefits of STEAM Activities and Child Development
These types of STEAM activities help with a child’s brain development. STEAM falls under the category of inquiry instruction. This type of instruction encourages hands-on experiences that support building and understanding vocabulary, critical thinking, and problem-solving.
STEAM activities also encourage critical thinking skills. This type of thinking involves applying, analyzing, and evaluating information through observation, experience, and reflection. Even at a young age, kids can engage in these types of activities.
A child’s cognitive skills also get a boost through STEM learning. These are the activities that enhance thinking, reading, and learning. As kids do more of these types of activities, they strengthen these skills.
Through different STEAM activities, kids can begin to learn the benefits even before they get to elementary school. These types of skills are ones they will use their entire lives.
Let Your Child Explore at Primary Beginnings
At Primary Beginnings, we believe in the importance of STEAM activities for preschoolers and try to incorporate them into our curriculum frequently. To learn more about the activities we offer as well as our infant child care or preschool programs, call us today. Contact our North Hills Drive center or our Spring Forest center. You can also schedule a tour. We look forward to meeting you!
