The wonders of science and technology might seem like overly-complicated topics for little minds, but there are lots of creative ways you can approach introducing them. After all, the tools we take for granted and expect pre-school children to use every day were once incredible technological innovations. Today, even toddlers are able to pick up new technologies much faster than we ever could, and while there is an important discussion to be had about the rights and wrongs of that, there’s no denying it’s a vital part of growing up in the modern world.

So, if you’re a forward-thinking parent who wants to nurture a growing interest in science and technology, here are a couple of healthy and subtle ways you can do just that.

Make it fun

Everything in a toddler’s life should be built around fun!

That endless curiosity brimming in those little minds is often best nurtured through play. All kinds of play are brilliant and more educational than you realise — whether it’s building a magical world with LEGO or taking their favourite toys on a fantastic adventure. If you want to approach topics such as science and tech it helps to appeal to a child’s desire to play.

While they’re a little young for toy circuit boards and chemistry sets, there are a number of brilliant science-based toys little ones can use to pick-up knowledge of the universe. Trying to formally ‘teach’ these topics at home will only confuse a toddler. So, instead, provide the tools for discovery and let them come to conclusions. You can also run guided science activities with your toddler; check out 10 science activities that toddlers that you can do with household materials.

Songs and dances are another fantastic way of getting toddlers into science. Scientific topics can also be approached through this more physical game. Songs for Teaching have a great range of science songs suitable for older toddlers – covering more relatable topics such as planets and biology. Dancing around the house to silly songs about the heart is a much more memorable way for young children to learn than reciting a textbook.

If you find your child isn’t drawn to these topics or the toys within then, try demonstrating them first yourself. Many young children need to see a toy or activity in action properly before they can use it themselves, so get yourself down on the floor with them.

Recommended reading:

• Check out these >150 free science experiments, perfect for children from 3 years and up who’re interested in everything from elements to explosions.
• You can introduce STEM concepts into a preschool setting too!
• Tips for explaining abstract concepts to early learners.

A healthy amount of screen time

There’s not a parent in the world who isn’t partially worried about screen time.

This generation of children are growing up glued to tablets, laptops and phones. This screen, in addition to the bright colours and characters that come with it, make it difficult for you to break your toddler away from YouTube or app games — but it’s important you regulate it or use screens as an opportunity for good early on.

This is why you should use a healthy amount of screen time as an introduction to technology. Keep screen-time limited for little eyes, but make it useful.

Rather than watching mindless videos, try and associate screen time with learning over entertainment. They may be too young to differentiate, but if you can make time on the computer an opportunity to start relaxed science lessons rather than entering the YouTube vortex, you’re off to a healthy start.

Many of the more innovative kids subscription boxes designed for more STEM activities, such as the Sago mini box, also include apps and online games they can enjoy, which is a great way to promote a healthy, necessary relationship with screens without neglecting physical tools and imagination.

This is also a great opportunity to start expanding your child’s vocabulary when it comes to tech. They don’t need to know what a hard drive is but knowing words like mouse, keyboard and monitor will help them pick up the basics quicker when they’re old enough. You can even find digital microscopes that you can connect to your computer – kids love exploring hidden details!

Start with things they see every day

Rather than dropping loads of new topics your toddler can’t process in front of them, introduce science and technology subtly using things they see every day.

Start with simple subjects they can relate to — such as the weather, stars and technology you have around the house. This way toddlers can connect new ideas to their every day and make sense of them more easily.

Create weather walls around the house where you can both monitor the changes of the seasons together. This is a fantastic way to approach ideas such as rain and snow which lead into discussions of where different types of animals live.

If you work from home and you’re sitting at the computer let them join in with you. Explain what you’re doing in the most simple terms, for example, pointing out how typing works. Just following the mouse is a magical first way to access what technology is for little minds. They’ll always be curious about what Mummy and Daddy are doing.

Use everyday activities such as bathtime to introduce interesting science questions and ideas. Ask them if they think the soap is going to sink or float (see more water science activities here). They might not understand your explanation fully, but it’ll stick in their mind and help develop their curiosity towards other items. It’s all about introducing new ideas for them to explore.

Learn together

Maybe science and technology is a mystery to you. Maybe you can’t get that computer in the corner to work and you get all flustered when someone asks you to name the closest planet.

That’s okay, this presents a great opportunity for you and your little one to discover the answers together.

Pick up some books and read them to your toddler. If the story is interesting and the science and technology feature fascinating enough they’ll have an abundance of questions to ask you throughout. This exercise is less about getting through a story and more about introducing them to new ideas. Encourage that train of thought much as we mentioned in the last section.

• “How far away do you think the moon is?”
• “Does a tiger live in the same country as us?”

Basic questions, but a brilliant way to get the gears turning and ignite interests that will lead them down sciencey, techy paths.

Science and technology can be difficult topics for a toddler without guidance. So much of it won’t make sense to them, but it’s important to take this step early towards helping them recognise things in the world.

Happy teaching,

Laura

“Laura May is Digital Editor at Just Another Magazine. We write about beauty, fashion, lifestyle, relationships, travel, trends and anything else that matters to you. Name throwing you off? Don’t take it too seriously – we intend to stand out from the crowd.”