Learning Lessons: What Parents Need to

Know about STEAM

By Tanisha Turner

You are undoubtedly familiar with the acronym STEAM and its importance in the classroom. This acronym – which stands for science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics – has become a hot topic in the world of education and the business community. The practice of teaching by incorporating these concepts into multidisciplinary lessons has revolutionized education approaches across the country, even for children in preschool.

While young children may not be able to understand multiplication or how computers work, they can develop a strong foundation for future learning by exploring STEAM skills and concepts through play and discussion and then applying those skills through more play.

For young children:

• Science encourages investigation and answering questions, often involving experimentation.

• Technology refers to using simple tools like crayons and rulers, as well as more complex ones like microscopes and computers.

• Engineering refers to recognizing problems and testing solutions to them.

• Arts encourage creativity and allow children to illustrate concepts they are learning.

• Mathematics deals with numbers but also patterns, shapes, organizational skills, and much more.

Priceless: A Word for Your Day

By Jane Bishop

What does priceless mean to you? Items, gifts, “stuff”? For me, it’s much more than that. As my daddy aged, he experienced health struggles that he faced with stubbornness and tenacity as he pushed through often when I know he did not have the energy or fortitude. Why? So that he could enjoy the moment. During the last three years of his life, he had two falls that resulted in surgery, weeks living in a rehab facility, and other issues. He was often in great pain, physically and emotionally. I became embedded in caregiving at a different level for both parents. It was challenging, tough, stressful, and emotional. However, in all of the energy output, in all of the care given to both myself and my parents, I do not regret one moment of any of it. It was priceless.

Pricelessness comes from moments that come and go so quickly, you hardly notice when they end or begin. You usually don’t even recognize the importance of a moment until it has passed. Today, I encourage you to practice staying present so you don’t miss a moment. Don’t miss the space that you are in currently. Whether it is a good or a bad, it is a pivotal moment of growth that you’ll one day revisit. Sit in that, reflect on that, cherish that. Ask yourself, “What is it that I can take in right now? How will I allow myself the time to do so?”

All of us, as time passes, will never get any second, any minute, any hour back. Therefore, how we invest ourselves in our moments either propels us forward, sidetracks us, or holds us back. That choice is and always will be yours to make. For me personally, as I sit back and review my own journey, as difficult and stressful as it has been at times, I recall the priceless moments that shaped who I am today. Above all, I am thankful I practice staying present to take it all in.

There are many reasons why STEAM subjects should be addressed in early learning settings. A key component of STEAM is process skills, such as making observations, hypothesizing, and critical thinking. These skills help young children grasp math and science concepts early in life while building a base for more complex concepts for years to come.

Research has shown that even very young children are capable of mathematical reasoning and can understand more advanced math skills than previously thought. Young children are also able to ask questions and make predictions about the world around them. In short, children are fully capable of learning foundational STEAM concepts, and parents and teachers should help children develop these skills at an early age.

STEAM learning can also take place outside of the classroom. For example, parents can encourage children to channel their inner engineer through a boat race activity. Have children use a variety of recyclables – cork, foil, tape, craft sticks, straw, an old swim noodle, and paper for a sail – to build a boat that can sail across the bathtub, a pan of water, or a puddle. After creating the boat, have children blow “wind” toward the boat to see how fast their creation travels. Parents and children can host races between multiple boats and discuss which boat is faster and why.

Young children grasp concepts through exploration and trial and error, so they should learn STEAM concepts at their own pace and in ways that are natural to them. To ensure that children are learning at their own pace, Primrose offers a balance of play with guidance from teachers, and repeats STEAM lessons so children can master skills as they are ready.

Tanisha Turner is the Owner of Primrose School at Sugarloaf Parkway. More information at www.PrimroseSugarloafParkway.com or call 770-513-0066.

Life will throw unexpected interruptions at us that make us say, “Oh please, just let this be over.” As you practice consistently staying present in your life, you create the opportunity to stop, step back, and take in where you are. Only then will you truly say, “Wow… this is priceless.” As you ponder and reflect, remember, it will never be TODAY again. More information at www.janebishop.live or jane@takethenextstepcct.com please support one in our community today.

If we want to communicate more effectively, we must consider our audience. Do we encourage others? Do we make other people smile, laugh, and have fun? After all, adults are just big kids at heart. Being “normal” (whatever that means) is pretty boring. People want to see real, genuine, and authentic behavior. So, be YOU and enjoy living in your own skin and quit worrying about what other people are doing.

People will talk about you no matter what you do. So, my advice is to give them something good to talk about. Time is ticking and today is “a present,” “the present,” and “our present.” So, make the best out of each hour you have and encourage and inspire each other.

I wish everyone a super February, and I encourage you to make someone’s day. WOW them. Why? Because it feels great and it is an amazing thing to do. Be upbeat, be encouraging, smile, laugh – and if all else fails, “fake it until you feel it.” And until next time, and as always, thank you for continuing with me on the journey of my town, your town, OUR TOWN!