According to a 2015 survey by Google and Gallup entitled Images of Computer Science: Perceptions Among Students, Parents and Educators in the U.S., nearly half of the students polled said "people who do computer science need to be very smart," particularly when it comes to math and science. But only 42% described themselves as "very skilled" at math, and only 39% at science. It’s good that our students recognize the importance of these subjects but unfortunate that they don't feel they are smart enough to study them. This same poll also found that girls were 20% less likely to describe themselves as "very confident" that they could learn computer science skills, and only 18% of the girls said they were "very likely" to pursue computer science in the future, compared to 35% of boys.
What can parents do to change this situation for girls? Here are a few strategies that may help:
Show them examples of women who are successful in these fields. We all need someone to look up to, and though women are underrepresented in the fields of math and science, this is quickly changing. For instance, it was women who were in the forefront of developing the COVID vaccines that are so important today!
Give your girls toys and games that are related to—and that build skills focused on—STEM education. You can look back at previous articles that we’ve published, that list gift-giving suggestions. Why not make learning science, technology, engineering, and math more playful! Games can also help them learn computer skills such as coding.
Make math and science concepts real for your children. Both math and science are needed whenever you are preparing food for your family. Invite your children into the kitchen to cook with you and explain to them what you are doing, how you are measuring, how foodstuffs are transforming. There’s so much delicious information to be found in your kitchen!
Expose your girls (and boys too, for that matter) to the arts. Everything from music to photography involves mathematics, including painting, sculpture, and dance. The book entitled Gödel, Escher, Bach: an Eternal Golden Braid by Douglas Hofstadter is a really fascinating book on the subject, if you’d like further exploration.
Be aware of how you talk about science and math in front of your children. They look up to you and absorb what you do and say, so look for ways to talk about these subjects and other STEM concepts in positive and encouraging ways.
Help your daughter to develop newly learned skills by asking her to teach you the new math step that she has just learned in school. The role reversal will help strengthen her own understanding and help her to internalize important concepts.
As always, if we can help or you are interested in more information on ways to facilitate your child’s success, don’t hesitate to get in touch! Please call Betty Bodenweiser at 610-207-7811 or email betty.foundationforlearning@gmail.com for a free consultation.
