在STEM玩具中尋找什麼, What to Look for in STEM toys

STEM玩具的範圍從便宜的塊到昂貴的電子學，但他們不一定非常喜歡你的孩子向他們學習。根據兒童發展專家的觀點，他們應該是：

•互動。這可以是任何東西，從馬鈴薯頭先生的臉上裝配或賽道上的火柴盒賽車在枕頭上製作的軌道上舉辦動物茶話會。科恩說，製造某種東西或建立某種東西，拆散它並以新的方式重建它的過程可能會導致更多的學習發展和成熟。尤格曼同意道：“基本原則是孩子們積極地開展自己的科學研究，理解事物的運作方式。他們不是被動接受者，也沒有成年人從上面指示方向，“他說。 “STEM玩具可以有效地用於兒童，讓他們參與製作。”

• 適當的年齡。抵制購買適合年齡較大的孩子的STEM玩具的衝動。 Appell說，存在年齡建議是有原因的。 “這決定了孩子們玩耍的安全和發展適合什麼，特別是3歲以下的孩子。”

•對你的孩子有興趣。即使是世界上最棒的STEM玩具，如果你的孩子不想和他們一起玩，也不會有多大的價值。科恩說，看看你的孩子吸引著什麼類型的玩具和遊戲，並追隨他們的領先。例如，如果她喜歡積木，那麼可以購買教授基本工程概念的建築玩具或建築玩具。

STEM toys range from inexpensive blocks to pricey elecontrics, but they don’t have to be fancy for your child to learn from them. What they should be, according to child development experts, are:

• Interactive. 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 engender more learning development and enhanced maturation, Cohen says. Yogman agrees: “The fundamental principle is that kids are actively conducting their own science and understanding how things work. They’re not passive recipients, and there aren’t adults giving direction from above,” he says. “STEM toys can be used productively with kids to get them involved in making things.”

• Age appropriate. Resist the urge to buy STEM toys meant for an older child. Age recommendations exist for a reason, Appell says. “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 greatest STEM toys in the world 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 she loves blocks, for instance, stock up on building or construction toys, which teach basic engineering concepts.