What Are STEM Toys?
Benefits of STEM Toys for Toddlers
What to Look for in STEM Toys for Toddlers
Active, not passive. This could be anything from assembling a face on a Mr. Potato Head or racing Matchbox cars over a track made out of pillows to hosting a tea party for stuffed animals. The process of making something, or building something, taking it apart and rebuilding it in a new way, can bring about more learning development and enhanced maturation, says Michael Cohen, PhD, a developmental psychologist and president of Michael Cohen Group, a research and consulting firm focusing on children, education and media. Michael Yogman, MD, a pediatrician in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Committee on Psychosocial Aspects of Child and Family Health, agrees: “The fundamental principle is that kids are actively conducting their own science and understanding how things work,” he says. “They’re not passive recipients, and there aren’t adults giving direction from above.”
Age-appropriate. Resist the urge to buy STEM toys meant for an older child. Age recommendations exist for a reason, says Adrienne Appell, a toy trend specialist for The Toy Association. “It determines what will be safe and developmentally appropriate for kids to play with, especially children under 3.”
Of interest to your child. Even the best STEM toys won’t be of much value if your child doesn’t want to play with them. See what types of toys and games your child gravitates toward and follow their lead, Cohen says. If they love blocks, for instance, stock up on building or construction toys, which teach basic engineering concepts. It’s also important to engage with your child during play. “Asking questions, talking to your child and offering them opportunities for reflection—and really listening to their answer—is the greatest thing you can do,” says Cohen.
