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Ask HN: STEM toy for a 3 years old?

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Re: Ask HN: STEM toy for a 3 years old?

#21
post #15

Time with parents. As a parent you can turn most any activity into an opportunity to learn math, science reading or whatever. Just asking questions is the core of learning. For example, the start of learning math is gaining a deep understanding of basic numbers. Simple activities go a long way... count things, add them together, split into groups, and so forth.

Also don’t foist your own desires and dreams upon your children. It is good to expose your kids to quality stuff, but be aware when this is more about your desire than theirs.

Re: Ask HN: STEM toy for a 3 years old?

#23

Shrug my head. Be a responsible parent and let your kid enjoy their childhood. Play sports with him instead

How is offering your child toys that they can learn from stopping them from enjoying their childhood, and what does it have to do with sports?

I grew up loving k'nex, I don't see how that i wasn't enjoying my childhood

Re: Ask HN: STEM toy for a 3 years old?

#29

Pens, paper, boxes, wooden bricks, some backyard junk. Simple things that will spark his imagination and make him design and invent.

This. Three years old is a good time to build an intuitive understanding of the simple machines (lever, wheel and axle, pulley, inclined plane, wedge, screw). Hands-on play with this kind of thing will set up a solid foundation for more complicated STEM when they're older, and the kid won't even know they're being educated.

Re: Ask HN: STEM toy for a 3 years old?

#30
post #15

Time with parents. As a parent you can turn most any activity into an opportunity to learn math, science reading or whatever. Just asking questions is the core of learning. For example, the start of learning math is gaining a deep understanding of basic numbers. Simple activities go a long way... count things, add them together, split into groups, and so forth.

I have an 18 month old. The delta that's occurred over the last year is immeasurable. I can't imagine how much more is going to happen between now and 4 years old. I optimize my day to ensure that I spend as much time as possible with him. It's definitely paying off for him, but selfishly, it's the most fun I've had in a long time.
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