I clearly remember my school days. 7.30 AM – Maths. 8 AM – English. 8.30 AM – Science. 9 AM – Arts. The topics and books as easily forgotten as the ring of the gong that announced the end of that subject, only to be remembered again the next day when the teacher walked in. As I grew up, I often wondered if and how will this help me live and thrive in the real world. There was just no connection.

Thanks to the research in the field of education, we are now better equipped to utilize these crucial years into developing the child.

WHAT IS STEM?

STEM – One of the most talked about topics in education. It stands for four specific disciplines — science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. It is a unique approach to teaching and learning, that focuses on a child’s individual style of learning. It not only keeps the young mind interested and engrossed but also helps develop creativity and problem-solving skills in real-world scenarios.

The STEM methodology integrates concepts that are usually taught in silos, as separate subjects or as individual lessons. STEM puts more emphasis on the connection amongst these four disciplines in a way that they would relate to each other. It is an educational framework that brings reality into the learning experiences.

STEM is not just about Maths learning or technology learning, but it is a combination of any of these 4 areas that combined produces more logical thinkers and creates adults who can in their life ahead be employed in jobs that are related to science and technology. In other words also creating innovators and doers.

STEM learning starts at the age of 7. However, the foundation for the formal learning is laid down much before then.

Early START to STEM

• The important thing to remember is that children are natural learners. The key to starting early is by tapping into their curiosity by allowing them to explore and investigate the real world, to instill a lifelong interest in these fields.  It does not have to be a subject. It can be an activity or a game or a toy.
• Immerse them in everyday activities and explain how they work. Then explain the concept behind it.  Make it interesting, let them have a hands-on experience where ever possible.
• Plan DIY’s and get your child to assist you. Reward them with knowledge and appreciation. Focus more on the process and less on the outcome.
• Play activities that stimulate creativity and reasoning. Begin with learning about how things work by letting them test, explore and investigate with their tiny fingers, watching them change, listening to sounds, and feeling textures.
• Get them toys which promote STEM learning.

Being a mother to an inquisitive toddler, I am always on the hunt for ways to keep his sharp mind engaged. Outdoor play isn’t a year-round option for us owing to the extreme weather experienced by the city we live in. Hence more often than not, I rely on indoor activities, games, and toys.

And when it comes to selecting activity toys, I prefer to pick toys that not only keep my son engrossed but also add value and prepare him for what lies ahead. For example, the popular toy brand Skola create toys that encourage STEM learning. Skola’s ultimate purpose is to improve fine motor skills which certainly helps engineering, but more importantly using fingers helps children think clearly and enhances concentration and cognitive ability which is directly a STEM requirement.

For example –

Cascade cars help a child to understand cause and effect. This is where a child is exposed to science. It helps a child to register, process and comprehend.

Colour wheels encourage children to use fingers to rotate wheels and then find the matching colours which involves examination, observation analysis, and discovery.

This process is true for all Skola Toys and hence creates thinkers.

Learning is a never-ending process. It’s never too soon or too late to begin. But it’s always better to start early to build a strong foundation. Give your children the right resources and tools to get them started.

What do you think about early learning and building a solid foundation?

The post Early START to STEM appeared first on Raising Rehaan.

Travel takes on a completely different meaning when the equation involves a baby. It’s no longer “go with the flow”. It’s about planning, about thinking ahead, about preparing.

One worry that plagues a lot of parents is the first- time air travel with their little one. Let’s face it, an aircraft is a jail we temporarily check into voluntarily. We’re restricted to our seats most of the times. There’s lack of space to move around. If you speak a decibel higher than you should, you see frowns on faces around. Not to forget the long queues before and after boarding.  Now imagine all this with a toddler to manage!

However, with the right orchestration, air travel too can be a memorable experience.

Sharing with you all a few tips and tricks to turn air travel into a tolerable experience.

Planning is the keyword.
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Invest in a light weight compact stroller. Extremely helpful at the airports when you’re trying to juggle a baby, luggage and diaper bag.
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Pick flights according to your toddler’s routine. Try and book short non stop flights or if long, flights with strategically timed stops.
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Web check in and pick seats with more leg space. Aisle seats are best.
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Let the toddler run around and tire himself out at the airport
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Feed. Feed. Feed – During take off and landing to ease any air pressure discomfort
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Prepare a toddler kit with baby’s favourite toys and something new just in case.
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Trust your instincts and try not to go crazy if things don’t go as planned.
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There’s nothing more magical than holding your baby in your arms, nothing more peaceful than watching the lil bunny sleep snuggled next to you and nothing more powerful than the love you feel for your baby.

The post Traveling with toddlers! appeared first on Raising Rehaan.