7.25 Smart Reasons Kids Need STEM + AI Before Age 5

Meet the Little Tech Expert Who Can’t Walk

I was sitting in church the other day. In front of me was a mom, dad, and their daughter — a little girl who looked about 3 or 4 years old.

While the parents were listening to the sermon, their daughter was quietly playing on a device. Suddenly, she nudged her dad:

“Dad, get your device!”

Before he could say much, she pulled up the same game on his phone and tried to get him to play along.

Adorable, right?

But here’s the part that got me thinking: when the service ended, the dad picked her up and carried her out. She couldn’t walk.

But she could work a touchscreen better than most adults.

That’s right — she was using technology before she could walk.

And that’s exactly why we must start exposing young kids to STEM and AI early.

What Is STEM and Why Should It Start So Young?

STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Sometimes it’s expanded to STEAM, which includes the Arts.

I’ve spent years working with educators and parents to help students learn it, love it, and live it. And trust me, the earlier they start, the better they grow.

I even wrote a book about it called "STEM is Everywhere" with fun activities for home and school. (You can grab it below!)

Now let’s break down the 7.25 reasons why your preschooler (yes, even the one who still needs a booster seat) should start learning AI and STEM today.

1. Early STEM = Later Confidence

Kids who see STEM and AI as “normal” at age 2, 3, or 4 won’t be scared of science or math when they hit middle or high school.

They’ll feel confident in physics.
They’ll feel capable in coding.
They won’t fear calculus.

Confidence doesn’t begin in the 10th grade — it begins in pre-K.

2. Future-Proof Their Skills

Let’s be real — AI is already here, and it’s only going to get bigger.

The jobs your child will one day have? Many don’t even exist yet.

So, how do you prepare them? You teach them now.
You give them tools, not toys.

My dad once told me:

“If you prepare for the future today, you’ll be ready when the future becomes your present.”

Let’s get them ready now.

3. Play = Programming

When kids play with AI toys, STEM games, or even smart devices, they’re not just playing — they’re learning logic.

They’re building cause and effect.
They’re learning how things connect.
They’re understanding sequencing and patterns.

That’s programming.

The next time your child swipes your phone, just smile — they’re training their brain.

4. Equity Begins in Pre-K

Want to close the learning gap? Start early.

Too often, certain communities or schools get left behind when it comes to science and tech.

But if we start giving every child the same access to STEM tools in preschool, we give them all the same chance to succeed later.

5. STEM Is a Language (and Kids Are Sponges)

You’ve seen how quickly toddlers can pick up songs, shows, or even TikTok dances.

STEM is just another language — the earlier they hear it, the faster they’ll learn to “speak” it.

Introduce it like a second language. The earlier, the better.

6. STEM Unlocks Creativity

People often think science is only about rules. Nope.

STEM actually fuels creativity.

Coding a game? That’s creative.
Building a robot? That’s artistic.
Solving a problem? That takes imagination.

Starting young helps kids see themselves not just as consumers — but as creators.

7. It Connects School to the Real World

Ever heard a kid say, “Why do I have to learn this?”

Well, STEM makes learning feel real.

When they see how science shows up in their toys, tech, weather, and world, they stop asking “Why?” and start asking “How?”

STEM makes school feel like life. Not just class.

7.25. Meet Bubbles (Yes, the Spoon Robot)

And finally… the 0.25 reason.

This one’s just for fun — and it involves a robot named Bubbles and a spoon.

In one of my STEM lessons, I introduce kids to Bubbles — a silly robot who “eats” cereal with a spoon.

It gets kids laughing. It gets them thinking. It makes STEM fun.

That’s the key: if we make STEM playful, creative, and real — kids will run toward it instead of away from it.

Final Thoughts

Hi, I’m Kantis Simmons — the guy with 7.25 fingers (a fun birth defect I wear proudly 😄) — and I’ve made it my mission to bring STEM and AI to every child, every classroom, and every family.

Because when our kids start early…
They grow smarter.
They grow braver.
They grow ready.

Let’s not wait until they’re older.
Let’s give them the future now.

👇 Grab your free copy of my book “STEM is Everywhere” and start your child’s STEM journey today.

Remember: if your child can swipe before they can walk, they can start STEM before kindergarten.

Let’s raise the next generation of thinkers, makers, and dreamers — starting today. 💡💻👧🏾🧑🏻‍🔬🧒🏽