The Importance of an Early Start

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) learning starts long before children enter a classroom. Early childhood is a crucial time for developing curiosity, problem-solving skills, and a love for exploration. Although classroom teachers play an essential role in introducing STEM concepts, family involvement is equally important in igniting the spark of curiosity as well as reinforcing and expanding on those ideas at home.

Research shows that children whose families engage in STEM activities develop stronger critical thinking skills and perform better academically. However, many parents may feel uncertain about how to support STEM learning outside of school, believing it requires expensive materials or advanced knowledge. In reality, STEM is everywhere, and simple, everyday experiences can become meaningful learning opportunities.

In this article, we’ll explore practical ways early childhood educators can encourage families to become active partners in STEM education. By providing easy-to-implement activities, hosting interactive events, and promoting a growth mindset, educators can help families bring STEM learning to life beyond the classroom.

Why Family Engagement Matters in STEM

Engaging families in STEM education provides children with consistent learning experiences across different environments. When children explore STEM concepts both at school and at home, they build confidence in their abilities and develop a natural curiosity about the world.

Studies have shown that early exposure to STEM through hands-on experiences improves problem-solving skills, spatial reasoning, and mathematical understanding (Gülhan & Filiz, 2023, Nurmawanti, et al, 2021). Furthermore, when parents and caregivers participate in STEM activities, they help children see these subjects as relevant and accessible.

Family engagement also helps break down barriers that discourage some students from pursuing STEM education or STEM careers. Some parents believe STEM is only for those with a science or math background, but when they see how everyday activities—like cooking, gardening, or playing with building blocks—can reinforce STEM concepts, they feel more empowered to participate. By making STEM approachable and fun, educators can help all families support their child’s learning journey and career path.

STEM Experiment: Sink or Float

Objective:
Explore the concepts of buoyancy and density through hands-on play.

Materials Needed:

• A container or bowl of water

• Small household objects (e.g., a spoon, rubber ball, paperclip, leaf, cork, plastic toy)

Steps:

1. Fill a container with water (about halfway).

2. Gather a variety of small objects from around the house or classroom.

3. Ask children to predict whether each object will sink or float before placing it in the water.

4. Test each object by gently placing it in the water and observe whether it sinks or floats.

5. Discuss why some objects float while others sink. Explain how some objects are denser than water, which causes them to sink, while others are less dense and float.

Learning Focus:

• Science: Introduces basic concepts of buoyancy and density.

• Math: Encourages measurement (e.g., size of objects, amount of water).

• Problem-solving: Encourages prediction and observation skills.

How Kids Can Learn About STEM:

• Science: Learn about buoyancy and the properties of different materials.

• Technology: Explore how we can apply these principles in real-world technology (e.g., ships, submarines).

• Engineering: Introduce the concept of designing objects (like boats) that can float.

• Math: Count the objects and explore sizes and weights.

This activity is perfect for early childhood education and can be easily adapted for family involvement at home.

Explore our Video Library for hands-on experiments and ready-to-use lesson plans

Tips for Encouraging Family Participation in STEM

• Send Home STEM Challenge Cards 

  STEM challenge cards are an excellent way to encourage creative problem-solving at home. These small, engaging cards present quick, hands-on challenges that require minimal setup.

  Some examples include:

  • "Build the tallest tower using only paper and tape."

  • "Find five objects in your house that roll and explain why they move the way they do."

  • "Design and test a paper airplane. How far can it fly?"

  To make these challenges more interactive, educators can invite families to take photos or videos of their projects and share them with the class. A classroom bulletin board or digital platform can showcase student contributions, celebrating their efforts and encouraging continued engagement.

  Host Family STEM Nights 

  A Family STEM Night is an excellent way to create excitement around STEM learning while fostering collaboration between educators, children, and caregivers. These events provide hands-on experiences that make STEM fun and accessible for families.

  Consider including:

  • Interactive Stations: Set up different areas with simple experiments, such as coding games, building challenges, or science demonstrations.

  • Group Challenges: Encourage families to work together on tasks like building a structure from spaghetti and marshmallows.

  • Take-Home Kits: Provide materials and instructions so families can continue exploring STEM at home.

  To ensure accessibility, consider offering multilingual instructions or virtual options for families who cannot attend in person. A well-planned Family STEM Night helps families gain confidence in engaging with STEM concepts while creating lasting memories.

  Use Everyday Moments as STEM Learning Opportunities

  STEM is everywhere! Parents and caregivers can reinforce STEM concepts during everyday routines by incorporating simple discussions and observations into daily life.

  Here are some examples:

  • Cooking Together: Measuring ingredients teaches basic math skills and introduces concepts like fractions and volume. Discuss how heat changes food, introducing simple chemistry ideas.

  • Grocery Shopping: Ask children to estimate the weight of produce, count items, or compare prices. Encourage them to look for patterns in packaging and branding.

  • Car Rides: Observe and discuss traffic lights, road signs, and patterns in nature. Play games like counting the number of red cars or identifying different types of buildings.

  By recognizing STEM in everyday life, families can help children develop a natural curiosity and appreciation for problem-solving.

  Share Digital Resources and Apps 

  Technology can enhance STEM learning, and many free or low-cost resources are available for families. Educators can recommend high-quality digital tools that align with early childhood learning.

  Some great options include:

  • PBS Kids STEM Games – Interactive activities that build foundational STEM skills.

  • NASA Kids’ Club – Space-themed games and activities that introduce science and engineering.

  • Tinkercad – A beginner-friendly 3D design tool for young engineers.

  • Bedtime Math – A daily math challenge app designed for families to solve together.

  By sharing these resources, educators can help families extend STEM learning beyond the classroom in a fun and engaging way.

Encouraging a Growth Mindset in STEM 

A key part of STEM learning is developing a growth mindset—the belief that abilities can improve with effort and practice. Encouraging curiosity, persistence, and resilience helps children feel confident tackling STEM challenges.

Here are ways educators can help families support a growth mindset:

• Normalize Mistakes: Emphasize that mistakes are part of learning. Encourage families to avoid criticizing children for making mistakes, but rather celebrating them as opportunities for learning. Suggest the use of questions such as, “What can we learn from this?”

• Ask Open-Ended Questions: Instead of giving answers, prompt exploration with questions like, “What do you think will happen if…?” Suggest to families that, besides asking questions with one simple answer (“What do we call that?”) they also use questions with multiple answers that encourage creativity (“How many ways can you think of to do that?”)

• Celebrate Effort, Not Just Results: Praise persistence and creative problem-solving rather than focusing only on correct answers. Remind them that positive results can only be achieved if we are willing to carry on through challenges and setbacks.

When families support a growth mindset, children feel more comfortable exploring, experimenting, and embracing challenges.

Conclusion

Family engagement is a powerful tool for fostering a love of STEM in young children. By providing simple activities, organizing interactive events, and encouraging everyday STEM exploration, educators can empower families to take an active role in their child’s learning.

Encouraging a growth mindset further reinforces the idea that STEM is for everyone—mistakes are just stepping stones to discovery. When children see their families participating in STEM learning, they develop confidence and excitement about these subjects.

Educators can start small—sending home a STEM challenge card, recommending a fun science app, or organizing a family STEM night. Every step toward involving families makes a lasting impact on young learners.

How will you engage families in STEM this year? Try one of these strategies and see the difference it makes!

Sources

Gülhan, Filiz. (2023). Parental Involvement in STEM Education: A Systematic Literature Review. European Journal of STEM Education. 8. 05. 10.20897/ejsteme/13506. 

Nurmawanti, Iva & Darmiany, Darmiany & Nurwahidah, Nurwahidah & Kusuma, Anindita. (2021). STEM and Critical Thinking: Alternative Learning Collaboration between Teachers and Parents in The New Normal Era. SOSHUM : Jurnal Sosial dan Humaniora. 11. 293-304. 10.31940/soshum.v11i3.293-304.