Tips to Get Your Kids Interested in Math and Science
While kids are naturally curious, creative and artistic kids are often less interested in math and science. As a parent, we know that honing these skills is important, but how can encourage an interest without making it a terrible experience for you both? Let’s look at some tips and tricks to get your artsy kid interested in math and science.
Bake Together
Baking is a fabulous way to get your creative little one engaged with math. You can teach them to count and do measurements while also teaching them about fractions. Not to mention at the end, you get a delicious result!
To get your kids into math, try a recipe for cookies or cupcakes and have them do all the measurements. Ask them questions about the fractions they’re using. You can also give them easy problems to solve such as altering the recipe size.
Science ExperimentsÂ
What’s a better way to get your kids into science than doing experiments? They don’t have to be complicated to be beneficial. There are plenty of science experiment kits you can buy, or create DIY experiments. We like these ideas:
- Make a lava lamp
- Homemade playdough
- Make homemade rock candy
Not only are these experiments great for engaging your kid with STEM skills, they also encourage either creative side! No stone is left unturned when it comes to doing fun science experiments at home.
Head to the MuseumÂ
There’s nothing better than a day at the museum! Head over to the nearest math or science museum to get your kids learning while having a blast. It can be easy for kids to run around museums and not absorb any information, so make sure you’re taking the time to slow down with them.
Go through exhibits and read the information plaques. Engage with all of the interactive exhibits, and ask your kids questions. If the museum offers an in-depth tour, take them on it!
Play Math Games
Let’s face it, many kids find math boring. You may have to *trick* them into thinking it’s fun by playing games. And, the truth is, math games ARE fun! You’ll probably enjoy yourself playing them, too. Math games for kids that we like include:
- Checkers
- Battleship
- Monopoly
- Yahtzee
The more you look into it, the more you’ll realize that most games involve math in some capacity. Your kids will never know what hit ‘em!
Show Them Real Life Examples
One of the best ways to get your kids interested in math and science is to teach them how to use it in the real world. This might not work well on the very little ones, but as your kids are growing it’s important to teach them life skills.
We use math in everyday life from keeping track of our expenses to buying things at the store. When you have math-related tasks, try to show your kids what you’re working on. Show them how you pick items at the grocery store, or balance your checkbook.
Get Out Into Nature
When it comes to teaching your kids about science, we can’t stress getting outside enough! There’s so much opportunity to learn outdoors. Take them to the park and create a nature scavenger hunt, or bring a bird watching book. Bring your camera along to take pictures of what you see, so that when you get home you can teach them about the plants and animals.
Play With Animals
Do you have pets, or friends with pets? Encouraging your kids to play with and learn about animals will teach them about biology. If you have a dog, take the time to teach your kids about how they evolved from wolves. Or, if you have a cat, watch a nature show about big cats with your kids and feline. Ask them questions once it’s over, and connect it back to your pet!
Buy Them Fun Science Tools
Along with science experiments, getting your kids science-related tools to play with will help them gain interest. When you have them at home, they’ll be able to practice and hone in on their skills. Who knows, they may find something they like and turn it into a career someday! Consider getting your kids tools such as:
- Microscope
- Magnifying glass
- Magnets
- Telescope
- 3D Puzzles
Watch Science or Math Related Movies
We know that relying on screens isn’t ideal, but educational movies and videos are an excellent tool to get your little ones interested in math and science. Pop on a nature documentary, or math-related video. There’s an endless supply of content out there!
Don’t Focus on Grades
If your kids are struggling with math and science, focusing on bad grades isn’t going to help. The only way to see improvement is to encourage them with positivity. When they aren’t doing well in science or math classes, focus on making activities fun. The more fun they’re having, the more engaged they’ll be.
Play With Building Toys
Building blocks are a tried-and-true way to engage your kids not only with math and science but also fostering creativity. Unfortunately, the rigid nature of blocks limits the potential, which is why Clixo toys are amazing. The flexible shapes bend and connect to create anything your mind can imagine.
Creative kids will love the free flow ability to create without realizing that they are building skills like problem solving, 3D modeling, spacial awareness and much more. Let them play open ended or try giving them prompts that will require them to think about how to construct a specific something.