Do you envision your child creating the next Instagram or next mechanical transportation machine?

Have you tried to get your child interested in STEM so they may start on the path that leads to these dreams?

You should learn the best ways to spark their interest in STEM and offer mental support for your child without affecting their mental well-being.

The most obvious way is to enroll them in STEM programs.

These programs are available for children at all levels and can be done online or offline.

In the programs, children can learn STEM basics and advanced levels.

When they join these programs, the tutors generally have a grading system to facilitate promotion from beginner to expert level.

It's essential that you don't focus on your child's grades.

Instead, ask them about how they are holding up.

Enjoying the process is vital to their understanding of STEM topics.

Moreover, ensure that the STEM activities do not stop in the STEM programs.

Extend the activities to the home and try to include STEM principles in all they do.

You can chat with their STEM tutors to find out the best things to practice at home.

Here is an overview of the ways you can get your child interested in STEM:

Enroll Them in STEM Programs 

After telling them about STEM's benefits, the next thing to do if you want to get your child interested in STEM is to enroll them in a STEM program.

Ensure that when choosing the program, you pick one your child has an affinity for.

You can put your child in a maths STEM program if they love mathematics.

They will learn various mathematical formulas and shortcuts, allowing them to calculate mathematics way above their grades.

They may begin to get interested in physics and higher forms of mathematics. 

If their interest lies in controlling how computers operate, your child may be on a path to software development.

You should enroll them in a coding program, allowing them to learn how to give instructions to computers.

Ultimately, they will begin to create programs and develop new software.

A child with a building affinity may be enrolled in a mechanical program.

They will likely use LEGO bricks or construction-specific toys to learn how to build things.

They will eventually advance into using mechanical parts to construct what they desire.

Focus on the Process, Not Grades 

Allowing your child to flourish in their chosen STEM program is not only beneficial for their acquisition of knowledge but also their well-being.

If you desire to get your child interested in STEM and solely focus on their grades in the STEM program, you will erode their well-being with your pressure.

Instead, focus on getting used to STEM and adapting to the teaching style.

Tell them to commit to the learning periods rather than a promise that they will get the best results.

The commitment is more important because it will ensure that they always stick to the process.

If they don't have specific learning periods due to the program's flexibility, you can help them create the structure.

It's essential that they have a particular time to look forward to so they may experience the commitment you are preaching.

If they come home with bad grades from the program, listen to their rants and ask them for the reasons why they think they ranked low.

If the reasons are poor teaching or lack of comfort in the program, listen to them and organize a discussion with the tutors.

Involve STEM in Everyday Activities 

This method may seem complicated, especially when you are a non-STEM parent with no idea how STEM works.

But if you want to get your child interested in STEM and are serious about it, you can do some research and discover the various things you can do at home.

You can involve STEM in the kitchen.

Since STEM fields generally involve experimentation and drawing hypotheses, you can have your kid experiment with the tastes and textures of food while trying out different recipes.

Similarly, you can implement STEM while shopping.

For instance, your trolley has tires and will glide on the floor at varying speeds depending on how much force you use.

That's an excellent, physical way to teach your child about physics.

Also, you may teach them about STEM while going out for a ride.

Show them the various vehicles out there and discuss the rides. 

You can differentiate between vehicles that use gas and those that use electricity.

Such discussions can expand their minds and spark an interest in them to create water-fueled vehicles!

Identify STEM Role Models 

You will need some oomph when trying to get your child interested in STEM.

This oomph can come from role models.

They are humans who have gone through your child's developmental stage and created excellent technological devices for the world.

When choosing your role models, ensure they have excelled in their chosen fields and created valuable things.

Their track record will be able to inspire your child also to create theirs and make the world easier to live in.

Also, ensure that the STEM role model lives by core values that revolve around STEM.

If you don't want your child to only think about STEM, you can act as the counterweight to the role model, but it's essential that the role model is a hardcore STEM geek.

Most importantly, pick a role model that cares about other people and would wish to help. 

The help may come in the form of advice, feedback, skill training, or even encouragement.

This means that your child will have the opportunity to benefit from their role model, resulting in more love for the person.

Emphasize STEM Skills 

Telling your child about STEM and enrolling them in programs are not all to do.

You should also train them at home about STEM skills.

These transferable skills can be done in other projects while remaining accessible when it's time for STEM.

For instance, problem-solving is a valuable skill in STEM, and you can train your child in this skill at home.

When you give them certain puzzles to solve or tasks to do without you, you would be giving them problems to solve, allowing them to build up their problem-solving prowess gradually.

Similarly, since STEM professionals constantly change the world with their inventions, it's evident that there's a need for creativity in a STEM person.

You can develop your child's creativity by playing with them, introducing them to fantasy books and cartoons, or other similar methods.

They also need to be constantly curious, so they may continuously learn new STEM tools.

You can help them develop this skill by ensuring that you don't shut them off when they are being inquisitive.

When they ask you questions, answer them with clarity.

And if you don't know the answer, be sure to find someone who does.

Conclusion

Many parents usually adversely affect their child's mental well-being and abandon support for the children when forcing them to accept a new concept.

You can avoid being one of such parents when you get your child interested in STEM by enrolling them in STEM programs, focusing on the process rather than the grades, involving STEM in everyday activities, identifying STEM role models, and emphasizing STEM skills.

Resources 

https://www.prodigygame.com/main-en/blog/stem-programs-for-kids/

https://www.robotlab.com/blog/how-to-get-your-kids-interested-in-stem-without-forcing-it-on-them

https://educationandbehavior.com/students-educational-stem-activity/

https://www.naturesfare.com/our-ambassadors/forget-goals-focus-process-not-outcome/

https://www.yitfredericton.ca/single-post/2017/05/03/what-is-a-role-model-five-qualities-that-matter-to-teens