Blogs for Parents

Coding (AKA computer programming) is wildly popular for kids today. Society relies on technology for virtually everything. Entire industries are falling away due to automation. But this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It’s time to think about how to set your young child up for these new opportunities and success in the future by teaching kids coding and the basics of computer science.As technological advancements continue to evolve over the decades to come, coding will become a critical skill.Kids who learn basic coding skills today will have less to fear from artificial intelligence (AI) and automation because they will code the next AI programs instead of being replaced by them.But what exactly is coding and how can you teach it to your kids? That’s what we’ll cover in this article.  What is Coding for Kids? Coding refers to computer programming. Some people call this “writing code.”  Computer programs are created from many lines of text and numbers (code). When code is written in the proper order in the appropriate software program, the software can execute whatever command the code represents. For instance, in a software program that accepts HyperText Markup Language (HTML) writing <br> is like hitting the enter key when typing…

Coding presents many amazing opportunities for younger kids as they develop their understanding of computer science. Whether you’re looking for coding games for 10 year olds or early teens, there’s an activity for every age range and level of expertise. Today, we’ll share some coding activities and learning resources for kids based on their individual needs. These resources offer great instruction as kids start to enhance their coding language skills.  Types of Coding Activities for Kids So, what is coding for kids, and what are the best ways for them to learn? Let’s start by talking about some of the different types of coding activities for kids that you might run into. It always helps to know your options before making a decision.Generally speaking, kids’ coding games fall into three categories:IntroductoryIntermediateAdvancedIntroductory activities are for kids who are just starting out. They have little to no experience with coding, and they need to learn simple, fundamental coding concepts that they can build upon.Intermediate activities are for kids who have some experience and are ready to step up to the next level. These activities help expand and grow a child’s coding skills as they move toward becoming fluent in coding.Advanced activities are…

Black Friday is one of those isn’t a holiday but sorta is holidays that people in the U.S. just can’t get enough of. This year, we’ve come up with the best Black Friday STEM toy deals you can find online so you can avoid the chaos of in-store shopping! Our choices cover a variety of categories, so there’s something for everyone. We chose deals based on several factors including: The discount percentage Overall price Fun factor for kids Ability to spark STEM-relevant conversations/interest You’ve only got a few days to prepare so get these deals loaded and ready so you can take advantage of them before they’re gone! Best Black Friday STEM Toy Deal for Toddlers - Pixelated Animals It’s easy to buy toddlers gifts. Give them a stuffed animal and they’re happy. This year, you can make their gift more special by giving them a stuffed animal that’s relevant to their favorite (or soon-to-be favorite) STEM game. Minecraft is hugely popular with younger generations, and most kids are familiar with the pixelated style of the animals in the game. These pixelated animals are the perfect accent for a game most children know and love. The best part is the game is STEM-relevant. Engineering is…

Thanksgiving is a few days away. Kids are out of school. If you don’t find something to catch their attention, they’ll go stir-crazy waiting! So today, we’ll look at ideas for interesting Thanksgiving weekend STEM fun for kids that will keep their minds occupied.As you may know, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) are booming fields for the employment sector, but that doesn’t always translate into “fun for kids.” So how can you bring learning to your children for Thanksgiving and get them interested in STEM?Easy, just share one (or all) of these fun ideas to engage their minds, and redirect them to STEM-focused activities. 1. Reveal the Volume of Turkeys Consumed Each Year Our first idea starts with a huge number.Each year in the United States, Americans consume around 46 million turkeys which equal around 704 million pounds of turkey.Clue your kids into the volume of turkeys consumed each year, and ask what other numbers they can turn that into.If divided by 275 million people (the number of people expected to eat turkey on thanksgiving), how many pounds of turkey is that per person? You could even ask silly questions to spark their computational thinking skills.How many turkeys would fit…

November 8th is National Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) day - a non-traditional holiday created by MGA Entertainment in 2015 to highlight critical academic areas. You may not get a paid day off, but we do have some ideas for how you can celebrate National STEM day with your kids.Here’s an overview: 1. Build an Apple Boat and See if it Floats A fun and cost-effective way to celebrate National STEM Day with younger kids is an apple boat project. Ask your child if they think apples float or sink. Once you get their response, you can test their hypothesis.Steps to Make an Apple Boat:Slice an apple in half.Cut a triangle from a piece of construction paper.Attach the triangle to a toothpick with tape or glue.Insert the toothpick into the apple slice.That’s it, you’re ready to float! Have your child place the apple boat in a bowl of water to discover what happens. Afterward, explain that apples float because they are buoyant. In other words, the apple has air inside of it that helps it stay afloat. Since apples are less dense than water, they do not sink. This project not only covers science but introduces elements of engineering too! 2.…

Four decades ago the first video game platform took the world by storm. Suddenly, kids got plugged into a digital reality where fantasy ruled. Today, games are nearly indistinguishable from real life, and many parents worry about what that means for their kids. So, let’s consider the bright side of gaming and look at why you should be excited for your kids to learn game development. With children today encountering their first screens at a very early age, it’s no wonder they’re pulled toward the world of gaming. Games offer an escape from reality into a digital space where kids can explore their wildest dreams from the safety of their homes. While it’s a good idea to monitor your child’s time and activity behind the screen, remember that their generation is integrated with technology in a way that previous generations never were. For kids today, tech is a natural extension of their environment, almost like the clothes they wear when they leave the house. Prepare them for the digital-focused world they’ll face when they’re ready to start a career and help your kids to learn game development now. /*! elementor - v3.7.8 - 02-10-2022 */.elementor-heading-title{padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title[class*=elementor-size-]>a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-medium{font-size:19px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-large{font-size:29px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xl{font-size:39px}.elementor-widget-heading…

As a parent, you want to create the right conditions for your student to excel. The question is, where do you start? One way to keep your child growing in the right direction is to surround them with developmental toys. This article will provide a comprehensive list of STEM toys made explicitly for 7-year-olds. If you’ve never heard of “STEM,” it stands for Science, Technology, Education, and Mathematics. STEM is a specialty area of learning and education (compared with the humanities, which includes philosophy, art, and language studies). The following sections are grouped based on the focal area of each toy category, starting with science STEM toys for 7-year-olds. /*! elementor - v3.7.8 - 02-10-2022 */.elementor-heading-title{padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title[class*=elementor-size-]>a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-medium{font-size:19px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-large{font-size:29px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xl{font-size:39px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xxl{font-size:59px} Top Science Toys Kids love science. Unlike other toys, science toys allow them to explore how the universe naturally functions. Here is a list of the top science STEM toys for 7-year-olds that were made just for that purpose. Light-Up Terrarium: Simulate a natural environment and discover nature in a controlled setting with this LED light-up terrarium. Terrariums are among the simplest and easiest toys for exploring nature without getting your hands too dirty. Crystal Growing Kit: Kids learn patience…

Fall is here. Kids will start spending more and more time indoors, but that doesn’t have to limit their exploration and learning! Today we’ll look at the best Fall STEM projects for first graders to keep those little ones occupied. By the way, don’t be surprised if you have as much fun as your kids! These fall projects are easy to set up, super affordable, and totally fascinating. Ready? Let’s go. /*! elementor - v3.7.8 - 02-10-2022 */.elementor-heading-title{padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title[class*=elementor-size-]>a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-medium{font-size:19px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-large{font-size:29px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xl{font-size:39px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xxl{font-size:59px} Project 1: Glow in the Dark Slime /*! elementor - v3.7.8 - 02-10-2022 */.elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=".svg"]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block} Kids love gross, gooey, slippery, slimy stuff. What better way to get them involved in science than to have them make their own slime? But, this is no ordinary slime. It glows in the dark! The recipe is so simple you’ll wonder why you never did this before. Below are the ingredients you’ll need to bring this project to life! Glow in the Dark Slime Ingredients ½ Cup of White Glue ½ Cup of Liquid Starch 2 Tablespoons Glow in the Dark Paint Gel Food Color Mixing Bowl Plastic Spoon for Stirring To get started, pour the glue and the glow-in-the-dark…

Our children take a step closer to graduation every day. Whether they’re 6 or 16, you want to prepare them for the world of tomorrow. But what will be the top STEM technology careers for the future?In this article, we’ll take a look at the most promising fields for the STEM technology category based on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Handbook for career predictions and trends.Which careers will offer the highest pay and have high growth trends? Which jobs will exist and thrive across the next decade or more? Let’s dive in and answer all of those questions as we take a look at the top 5 STEM career opportunities. /*! elementor - v3.7.8 - 02-10-2022 */ .elementor-heading-title{padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title[class*=elementor-size-]>a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-medium{font-size:19px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-large{font-size:29px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xl{font-size:39px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xxl{font-size:59px}5. Computer Programmers /*! elementor - v3.7.8 - 02-10-2022 */ .elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=".svg"]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block} Ask anyone to predict the top STEM technology careers for the future, and at least one of their responses will be Computer Programmers. According to the BLS handbook, that’s a good answer. With median salaries trending around $93,000 per year, it pays to know how to code.So what does a computer programmer do? They strategize, conceptualize, and write the code for software applications.…