What Are STEAM Toys? Discover Their Educational Value

What Are STEAM Toys?

Children like toys. In recent years, a new type of toy has emerged, called STEAM toys. This kind of educational toy that combines education with entertainment has gradually become widely used. So what are STEAM toys?
Some people think that STEAM toys are steam toys when they hear about them, but they are not. STEAM is the abbreviation of five words: Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Maths. It is not only a toy, but also an educational concept, a cross-disciplinary and super-disciplinary educational concept that emphasizes practice.

The Significance and Mission of STEAM Toys

STEAM toys are toys invented based on the STEAM educational concept. They aim to encourage children to develop and improve in the fields of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics, cultivate children's comprehensive literacy, and thus enhance their competitiveness. The main significance of letting children play with STEAM toys is:
Through the project-based learning experience, effectively guide children to explore science, technology, engineering or mathematics knowledge, and give full play to their creativity. The main way is to try to acquire new knowledge and solve problems in real life through experiments and exploration.
When playing with STEAM toys, children may not know what the specific concept is, or why they should learn it. However, when STEAM knowledge is combined with practical applications, they will immediately feel the wonderful meaning of knowledge in real life, and will be more motivated and interested in learning in the future. Children can understand that learning knowledge and skills is not to prove their ability, but to understand the world and solve problems.

Characteristics of Good STEAM Toys

Nowadays, the STEAM education concept is very popular. Toy manufacturers around the world have launched various STEAM toy products to meet market demand. However, there are many STEAM toy products on the market, and the quality is uneven. Generally, good STEAM toys need to have 12 characteristics, including 2 must-have characteristics and 10 strengthening characteristics:

1. Focus on STEAM Fields

Good STEAM toys should be able to guide children to explore science, technology, engineering, arts, or mathematics, or engage in scientific methods. Scientific methods include exploration through experiments and case observation to obtain new knowledge, solve questions and answer questions.

2. Fun and Engaging

The prerequisite of being able to attract children, arouse their interest, stimulate them to explore and have fun is a more subjective feature and, frankly, more elusive. Good STEAM toys can stimulate both the left and right brains. When the toy or game experience makes children think about problems in science, technology, engineering or mathematics, the left brain, the logic and reasoning part, will be activated. When the game experience produces a sense of fun, the right brain that processes emotions will be triggered.

3. Open-Ended Play

Encourage the child to find his or her own way to play with the toy. In addition to the must-have features, this is the main attribute of a good STEAM toy. The product should have multiple ways to play, rather than prescribing one correct way to play. This includes toys that provide various ways to solve problems, build structures, create designs or complete tasks.

4. Real-World Connections

It is necessary to help children and parents understand the relationship between the toy's game experience and STEAM and the surrounding environment. STEAM skills should be similar to literacy, connecting children to things that are relevant to them. In this way, children can understand the impact of science, technology, engineering and mathematics on their world and lives, regardless of whether they are engaged in STEAM-related careers.

5. Trial and Error

The ability of children to learn to admit and accept failure is the key to the success of STEAM toys.

6. Hands-On Practice

Science has repeatedly confirmed that children's hands-on ability can promote brain development. It is particularly important today that children get tactile and tangible input from hands-on. Due to the frequent use of electronic screens, children get less and less physical feedback in their lives, so STEAM toys should have hands-on characteristics.

7. Child-Led Learning

This feature is about building children's intrinsic motivation and cultivating the ability to make independent decisions. A good STEAM toy should be able to convey this part of the concept, which means that children should lead the game experience.

8. Problem-Solving Skills

The ability to solve problems is a key element to be taught through toys and games. It is a highly transferable thinking skill that can be applied to other aspects of children's lives.

9. Integrated Curriculum

A good set of STEAM toys should have a matching curriculum that meets age needs, so that parents or teachers have the confidence and ability to guide children's game experience in line with the STEAM learning purpose.

10. Parental Support

Parents' attitudes depend on how well they understand STEAM. Parents are the gatekeepers of their children's toys, especially for younger children. Supportive materials can be provided to parents in different ways, such as videos, to help them become familiar with STEAM themes, increase product value, and encourage parental involvement.

11. Confidence Building

Children tend to label themselves just as products are labeled, and if children feel intimidated or unready to learn STEAM, this idea may become a
limitation to STEAM toys. STEAM toys can help children build confidence as they explore different topics, which can then be transferred to all parts of children's lives.

12. Social and Emotional Skills

Emotional intelligence, social and emotional learning (SEL), and emotional management are all skills that children are working to master now. When it comes to STEAM, these social skills merge with career aspirations and the need for collaboration to successfully solve problems.

Byjarda: Your Partner in Premium STEAM Toys

To meet the growing demand for STEAM toys, Byjarda has emerged as a leading supplier in this innovative field. Their collection of STEAM toys is designed to seamlessly integrate education with entertainment, encouraging children to explore concepts in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. Byjarda ensures that every product aligns with the highest standards, offering toys that are both engaging and educational.

Explore their exceptional range of STEAM toys on Zhorya's platform: Byjarda wholesale STEAM Toys. With Byjarda, you're assured of sourcing toys that not only excite young learners but also support educational goals.

Zhorya: Your Trusted Wholesale Toys Platform

As a leading wholesale toy platform, Zhorya connects businesses with trusted manufacturers like Byjarda, offering a wide variety of innovative and high-quality toys. Whether you're looking for STEAM toys, educational kits, or creative play solutions, Zhorya is your one-stop destination for bulk sourcing. With a focus on quality and reliability, Zhorya caters exclusively to B2B clients, ensuring your business gets access to the best products at competitive prices.

Visit Zhorya at www.zhorya.com to explore a vast catalog of toys tailored for businesses seeking excellence and variety today!

Conclusion

STEAM toys represent the future of educational play, blending fun with learning. Partnering with trusted manufacturers like Byjarda and sourcing through Zhorya ensures your business is part of this exciting evolution, delivering innovative toys that make a real difference.