STEAM for Young Children: 5 Benefits

Are you wondering about the benefits of a STEAM curriculum for children? There are several benefits to introducing STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) at a young age. Elementary-aged children can absorb knowledge quickly and are naturally suited for STEAM education. At Summer Institute for the Gifted (SIG), gifted and talented students ages 5-17 benefit from our STEAM-focused curriculum.

Here are 5 benefits of STEAM for young children:

1. Compliments young children’s natural curiosity about the world

Parents of young children are familiar with their intense curiosity. STEAM education can answer their questions about how the world works. STEAM allows young children to work with real-world situations.

2. Develops communication skills

STEAM education often involves students working together. Young students develop their communication skills and learn how to approach problem-solving as a team. STEAM education teaches young students how to appreciate the insights of their peers and use each other as a soundboard for producing creative solutions.

3. Cultivates creativity

With STEAM, creativity isn’t limited to the arts. STEAM focuses on open-ended problems, allowing students the flexibility to develop creative solutions. SIG courses like Under the Sea: Humans at Work (ages 5-6) provide students with the opportunity to design a habitat where ocean scientists can live in work.

4. Fosters active learners

STEAM education is naturally mentally stimulating—there are endless possibilities for students to explore! Above all, inventing new ways to solve problems is encouraged, rather than stifled. STEAM education allows students to learn with their hands and fully immerse themselves in subjects. Information from textbooks is brought to life. Students learn how to approach problems creatively and analyze beyond the surface

5. Develops problem-solving skills necessary for future success

While not every young student will pursue a career in STEAM, the skills gained from a STEAM education are applicable in every career field as well as school. Students learn how to solve problems creatively, research, and overcome obstacles. In STEAM, the first solution may not work well. Students learn perseverance through reevaluating problems and creating new solutions.

The SIG STEAM+ Curriculum

The SIG STEAM+ curriculum explores all facets of STEAM, plus humanities and fitness. Courses explore subjects such as coding, graphic design, robotics, physics, engineering, chemistry, and more.