STEM-Learning Fosters Creativity in Our Young One’s Minds

Were you born before the 2000s? If so, do you remember when driverless cars, virtual reality, smartphones, and so on, only existed in sci-fi films or novels? Back then, we only used to imagine them; however, modern technology has now made them part of our daily lives. These gadgets were made possible by people with creative minds. Adding in perseverance, thorough research and continuous learning, among others, they managed to innovate technologies that help people from all walks of life. Now why should this matter to us? The majority, if not all, of the children born before the 90s are now parents, aunts or uncles of today’s younger generation. As their guardians we should be doing our best to lead them towards a bright future. To be substantially equipped in the world that we live in now, one of the most essential skills that one must possess is creativity. Creativity supplements all areas of innovation and is advantageous to remain competitive in the dynamic workforce of the 21st century. As such, it is important for the creativity of young learners to be cultivated when it is at its most active. According to Kids Collective, “Every child is born creative and imaginative, but this capacity can be restrained, if kids have no space to behave imaginatively and release their creative energy.” Children need an outlet to express their creativity so that it is continuously practiced and developed. Many parents misunderstand the concept of creativity and believe that it is an innate ability that only a few possess. On the contrary, creativity is a skill that can be acquired through frequent exposure through activities. It can also be honed deeper as the child furthers his/her knowledge in academics or in life. (Collective, 2016) STEM-learning courses are one the best ways to achieve this goal. Through the understanding that STEM education provides on how the world around us works, when presented with a challenge, a young child’s imagination can be allowed to run freely while at the same time also be provided the guidance to innovate a solution. STEM-based courses can unlock a child’s sleeping curiosity and creativity with the help of activities that are interactive and based on practical applications. Not only does STEM-based learning boost a child’s creative growth, it also enhances other developmental areas that a child needs such as social, cognitive and language. While children ultimately will forge their own paths in life, it would be amiss for us adults not to ensure that they are given the best opportunity to develop to the best of their potential. And one means of doing this is through STEM-based education.