The M in STEAM

The M stands for Mathematics. STEAM education is an important part of a child’s education today. Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) all work together to create a well-rounded learning experience. Among these, mathematics stands out as an important subject that helps children develop their logical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills. With the right activities and examples, children can learn to appreciate and enjoy mathematics.

See our STEAM Overview Article Here.

Benefits of Mathematics Education

Mathematics is the foundation for science, technology, engineering, and even the arts. It teaches children how to think critically, solve problems, and make decisions. It also helps them develop their skills in communication, collaboration, and creativity. Learning mathematics also helps children develop their ability to think logically and to use abstract thinking. In addition, mathematics can help children learn to be more accurate and precise in their work. They can learn to understand concepts such as probability, fractions, and data analysis. All of these skills can be applied to everyday life and future career paths.

iKids offer some great mathematics focused games such as the Wooden Number Board Mathematics Game; Mini Games/ Fun Mazes; 5 in 1 Jungle Tetris Block and My First Building Real Bricks to name only a few.

Examples and Activities

There are many activities and examples that can help children learn mathematics. Games like Sudoku and KenKen can help children practice their problem-solving skills. Online math programs such as Khan Academy and IXL also provide lessons and examples that can help children understand the concept of mathematics. For younger children, there are plenty of activities that can help them understand mathematics concepts. Counting games such as “I Spy” and “Guess My Number” can help children learn number recognition. Matching games such as “Memory” can help them learn to recognise patterns. Building activities such as Legos and blocks can help children understand shapes and spatial relationships.

S in STEAM; T in STEAM; E in STEAM; A in STEAM

Here are five STEAM-based mathematics activities suitable for children in the foundation phase (approximately ages 5-8) to do at home:

1. Build a 3D Shape: Have the children collect various household items like straws, toothpicks, and marshmallows or clay/playdough. Ask them to use these materials to construct different 3D shapes, such as cubes, pyramids, and cylinders. Encourage them to explore the properties of each shape, counting the number of edges, vertices, and faces.
2. Pattern Creation: Create a pattern challenge for the children using everyday objects like buttons, beads, or coloured paper. Start a pattern sequence, such as red-blue-red-blue, and ask them to continue it. Gradually introduce more complex patterns and encourage them to create their own. This activity helps develop critical thinking and pattern recognition skills.
3. Measurement Scavenger Hunt: Prepare a list of measurement-related tasks for the children to complete around the house. For example, ask them to find and measure the length of three objects using paper clips or count how many steps it takes to reach a specific location. This activity promotes measurement skills and reinforces number sense.
4. Shape Sorting and Classification: Gather a collection of objects in various shapes, such as circles, squares, triangles, and rectangles. Ask the children to sort and classify the objects based on their shapes. They can create different categories or use sorting mats to group the objects accordingly. This activity enhances shape recognition and sorting skills.
5. Data Graphing: Provide the children with a small bag of coloured candies, like M&Ms or Skittles. Instruct them to sort the candies by colour and create a bar graph or pictograph to represent the data. They can count and record the number of each colour, then use markers or crayons to create a visual representation of the data. This activity introduces basic graphing skills and data analysis.

Remember to encourage open-ended exploration, problem-solving, and creativity throughout these activities. Adapt them as needed to suit the resources and materials available at home.