Posted on 02/15/2023
Today, more and more of us are coming to understand the value of fostering STEM abilities. But can you identify what ability serves as a solid foundation for study and careers in the STEM fields? No, it isn't always exposure to technology or early scientific investigations. It is not always related to early success with math facts or having completed an impressive pile of math workbooks. Instead, it's the capacity for meticulous observation. The best thing about this truth is that we can easily (and painlessly!) start encouraging observation and paying attention to details in our kids as early as their toddler years. Whatever your opinion of the STEM vs. STEAM debate, the arts can provide good starting points for promoting such talents.
Using Nature Studies to Teach Observation
So, if the word "studies" makes you think of text books and worksheets, clear your mind. Here, we're not actually discussing anything academic or technically complex. Simply saying, "Go grab me a leaf from that tree!" and then gazing at it with them might suffice for a young child. Discuss the shape, color, and other specifics. They should then compare two leaves after taking another one from the same tree. When your child's attention span lengthens, you could start using words for leaf species, sections, and shapes, and ask them to compare two leaves from various tree species. (Although knowing words isn't the main goal here, it can help you express your views.)
If your youngster is comfortable with this type of research, you might reverse it and turn it into a "I see" game. Your youngster will get to utilize observational skills and novel natural language to identify what you're describing if you say something like, "I see a brown leaf with three lobes."
Using the Visual Arts to Teach Observation
Art study doesn't have to be difficult; it can be kept simple and fun - just like nature study. And as a parent, you don't need to be very knowledgeable about any particular art style, time period, or artist in order to assist your kids in developing observational skills through painting. Start off easy, just like in nature studies. Ask them to describe a piece of art that you have displayed to them (printed or even on your phone or tablet). Feel free to ask them about the hues of color which they see. You might be surprised at how quickly your youngster picks up on specific similarities between works of art by one particular artist and develops their ability to tell apart different artistic styles.
Artist tip: Because he utilizes some of the same scenes and characters throughout several of his works, Vermeer is a popular artist for beginner level art studies; this continuity helps make it simple for children to see the similarities.
Nature and the arts aren't the only methods to develop observational abilities, of course. Even though visual observations are significant, they are by no means the sole kinds of observations. The ability to observe requires focused attention, which is something we are capable of doing using all of our senses. We'll go over strategies for enhancing those skills in a subsequent post.
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