The book answers these questions:
- What toys spur learning?
- What experience affect the way a child thinks?
- How do a nurture an innovative thinker?

What does STEM SMART mean?
Science Technology Engineering Math (STEM)

SMART stands for:
Struggle can be productive
Mistakes are learning opportunities
All topics & people are connected to STEM
Risk-taking should be rewarded
Think critically

The book expands on these 5 SMART concepts.

I'd heard of helicopter parenting.
But this book introduced me to another term: lawnmower parenting.
These parents mow down obstacles instead of allowing their children to confront the challenges.

"Prioritize conditions of love, stability, and safety rather than prioritizing children's perfection in meeting our expectations."

The books lists 10 tips that the American Psychological Association gives to develop resilience in kids. You can look them up. They're good.

When you go on nature walks, bring binoculars, magnifying glasses, and a bag to collect treasures.

Common Sense Media has excellent media literacy website for parents.

They strongly advocate choosing analog options over digital (screen-based) ones.
Children should touch, smell, taste, and move. Not just watch a screen.

Kids need to feel autonomous, competent, and have an emotional connection & support.

The book doesn't try to make every child go into a STEM field as an adult.
Instead, it encourages scientific thinking and mature development.

Disclosure: the publisher gave me an ARC.

STEM parenting highlights a curious and engaging way of living and parenting.
At the core of it is the endless and creative resources we have at our disposal as well as way to engage with science and hence, life.
This is the way I parent in many ways, and I wish to parent (good enough parenting here).
I found this engaging, informative and helpful.