What are STEM activities for early learners? STEM activities, specifically characterized by science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, are not new to classrooms. Teachers have been applying STEM projects to the play-based curriculum for years. However, it wasn’t until recently, when the acronym STEM became a catchphrase, that teachers began to harbor anxiety when planning their curriculum.
Teachers who have been encouraging the use of tools, inventing, experimenting, magnifying, making educated guesses, and much more became almost paralyzed with the thought of having to add yet another piece to an already overloaded curriculum. STEM activities in the early years is actually extremely easy to achieve. Young children are inherently curious and lend to the implementation of a scientific curriculum, through play experiences, quite well. STEM activities and learning are a holistic way of teaching. Holistic learning, or universal, means that children will benefit from an inclusive curriculum where investigation, is allowed, encouraged and stimulated.
What Does the STEM Acronym Stand For?
S is for Science
STEM activities for science is as easy as observing everything through the eyes of a child. Encouraging exploration of the tiny grains of sand in the outdoor play space is an age-appropriate curriculum. Studying life cycles while hypothesizing about the outcome of an experiment touches on all aspects of the science curriculum.
T is for Technology
Technology in preschool should not just include setting up an iPad for games and videos and walk away. Playing board games, taking apart and putting together simple machines as well as engaging in puzzles are age-appropriate technological activities for young learners. The use of tablets and computers should be limited in this age group; where a young child is exposed to another’s thoughts on the screen. Instead, encourage young children to use their own imaginations to further technology as a constructive age-appropriate outcome.
E is for Engineering
Another favorite STEM activity of children is participating in engineering. Constantly wanting to build, stack, plan, and invent is inherent in children’s learning. A young child can acquire almost all necessary skills in the block center, engineering a project. For instance, children encouraged to view play as their work, develop deeper intuition. Learning that flat surfaces are the best plane to build upon, rather than on a rounded or peaked block. Constructing towers with a strong foundation is all part of an engineering sequence needed to develop life skills. Allowing for more play and investigation not only builds life skills and interests but also serves children throughout the school years and later in life.
M is for Math
Math is one component of STEM activities that children are born knowing. Research shows children as young as 9 months have a sense of numbers. Math scores in play-based preschools predict future literacy outcomes as well. For example, charting, patterning, weighing, measuring, counting and sorting are staples in play-based programs. As well as necessary components to a STEM activity.
Teachers have been implementing these STEM activities long before there was an awareness of the importance of integrating STEM in the curriculum. As a result, integrating STEM across the play-based curriculum creates a “whole child” program. Expectations and standards in STEM allow for children to explore their world; perfecting the outcomes for play-based experiences.
What is the Secret of Incorporating STEM Activities?
The secret is to tap into the child’s natural and innate curiosity about the real world. Encourage children to ask questions and participate in hands-on activities. If you are including these ideals in your classroom you are already engaging children in STEM.
++++ Have you met my friend Sarah from Little Learning Corner? She has a great post all about Science and STEM boxes for children. Head to her site to check it out and grab a premade kit to make your planning easier!
Want to read more about how to Teach The TK Way and include hands-On activities in your program? You can visit that post here. Finally, are you looking to create your own Natural Classroom Sanctuary? Grab the FREE Master Guide to Natural Classrooms Below.
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