【2023】How to choose STEM toys? Hong Kong Fun STEM Toys Purchase 5 Major Indicators
Hong Kong fun STEM educational toys purchase 5 major indicators to help find toys suitable for children.
Many parents will take their children to buy some favorite toys in their spare time, but can some toys not only satisfy children's "playing" fun, but also help them learn at the same time and inspire their brains?
With the vigorous development of STEM education concept, a large number of STEAM teaching aids/toys have also emerged as the times require; instead, parents are somewhat troubled. How to distinguish what is a STEAM toy? What is the point of choosing STEM toys?
Let Kidrise analyze the "Five Features" of STEM teaching aids to help parents find suitable toys for their children.
The "Five Features" of STEM teaching aids
1. Have a theme that inspires children to "explore"
"Theme" is a major feature of STEM toys. Users can explore at least one of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics) from this product item subject.
Through this teaching aid, "cross-field" can be used to achieve the key point of learning while playing.
Toys with themes that inspire children to "explore"
"Theme" is a major feature of STEM toys. Users can explore at least one of the themes of STEAM (Science Science, Technology Technology, Engineering Engineering, Art Art, Mathematics) from this product.
2. No fixed gameplay (Open-ended), no gender difference (Gender-free)
Toys that conform to the STEM concept usually have no "fixed gameplay". You may see a large box of scattered small parts, that is, a theme with a loose material concept, such as some connectors, wheels, sticks, etc., actually How to play can not be seen at a glance, this is the characteristic of STEAM toys "low structure, open" (Open-ended) !
Most of the STEAM toys, from the outer packaging to the entity itself, do not emphasize the gender of men and women , usually in neutral tones, with parts that can be played by both men and women .
Toys with no fixed gameplay (Open-ended), no gender difference (Gender-free)
Most of the STEAM toys, from the outer packaging to the entity itself, do not emphasize the gender of men and women, usually in neutral tones, with parts that can be played by both men and women.
3. Real "learning by playing"
Usually when we play STEAM toys, we need to discuss and brainstorm with each other. You may "discover the problem" and then think about how to "solve the problem". You will need to look back at the manual, search for information online, or discuss each step with your partner, or even dismantle the whole thing and start over!
These processes are enough to cultivate children's social skills, develop a spirit of inquiry, and develop self-confidence and creativity, which is undoubtedly the most effective way for children to grow and learn.
Toys that truly "learn by playing"
These processes are enough to cultivate children's social skills, cultivate the spirit of inquiry, and grow self-confidence and creativity. It is undoubtedly the most effective way for children to grow and learn.
4. Parents are friendly
According to the 2017 survey by the American Toy Association, 48% of parents would refuse to buy STEAM toys because they were worried that they would not know how to teach their children to play; in addition, 75% of parents believed that STEAM teaching aids should be designed for parents "Guide to Playing with You".
This is also the voice of Hong Kong parents! We all know that STEAM toys are very good, but we just don’t have time to study them. If there is a systematic instruction guide, I believe it will reduce a lot of burden on parents. In addition to instructional guides, providing Assignment Game Cards or Study Sheets is a good added value.
parent-friendly toys
We all know that STEAM toys are very good, but we just don’t have time to study them. If there are systematic instructions and guidelines , I believe it will reduce the burden on parents. In addition to the instruction guide, it is also a good added value to provide "task game cards" or "study sheets" .
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5. Can cultivate beauty and creativity
Science students explore principles, arts students invent new things! This is why STEAM will add Art elements. In the future, children will not only bury their heads in studying phenomena, but also look forward to using principles to create!
However, creation requires the blessing of aesthetics, so many STEAM toys will color, match colors, or assemble the beauty of craftsmanship for children, so it is really possible to cultivate aesthetics from toys!
Toys that foster beauty and creativity
Children can develop their own creativity and practice unconstrained ideas through STEM toys. It not only cultivates children's hand muscles, trains collage and assembly, but also cultivates children's artistic cells.
Summarize
A good STEAM toy should be "fun enough" ! Toys must of course be fun! As long as it can attract children and even parents to find out, then you can try it!
If you happen to be looking for STEM teaching aids, these 5 general directions can help you choose interesting STEM toys that you can learn with your children.
Leading children into STEM life is actually not difficult. The key is that parents are also happy to learn. If you observe carefully , you will find that STEM toys are not just toys, but tools to help you "play more deeply" with your children.
When we spend a lot of money and time on tutoring but get no results, or indulge our children to be occupied by 3C products in childhood, STEM will be the solution for every parent!
I hope you like today's preschool enlightenment toys. If you know more about preschool enlightenment toys, or have other ideas about kindergarten toys, welcome to Kidrise Facebook to share with everyone!
further reading
What is the Montessori teaching method?
Self-learning tools under the epidemic - the latest STEM toys in 2023
【STEM Education】What is STEM? A new force in Hong Kong's education sector
About the author
STEAM Educational Toy Research Institute at
Kidrise STEM Hong Kong Educational Toys
We are committed to being a part of promoting the development of STEM education in Hong Kong, so that STEM is no longer just a hobby, but a profession that can bring the integration of play and learning into daily life.
Children can also take this opportunity to strengthen their competitiveness and development potential in the future society, and create a diverse and beautiful society together.
Let more children be inspired in play, and bring more possibilities and outlets for the future. Children's future does not have to be determined only by academic success.
Children can also take this opportunity to strengthen their competitiveness and development potential in the future society, and create a diverse and beautiful society together.
Let more children be inspired in play, and bring more possibilities and outlets for the future. Children's future does not have to be determined only by academic success.
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