Engineering in Preschool

Young children are constantly designing and redesigning solutions to problems (think of building with duplo blocks, creating forts, developing games, or designing a farm).  Engineering in preschool is a natural fit, as young children are curious, seek solutions and creative.  Many engineering skills are supported through play.  They devise, invent and construct their own toys and games, they build towers with blocks or other creative "tools", they creatively problem solve solutions to such tasks as moving sand or water and they seek solutions to such problems as a tower falling down or a boat not floating in the water table.  With teacher support through asking guiding questions, modeling an approach for key details and helping children problem solve solutions, Preschool children build skills in problem solving, creative thinking, and solution seeking.

Looking for more information on Engineering in the Preschool setting?  Check out the resources below.

Early Learning Design poster- Link 

YES, Engineering in Preschool!- Article 

 

STEM lesson ideas and lesson plans

Young children are natural-born scientists and engineers.  They can make observations, carry out simple experiments, collect data and begin to make sense of what they find.  Children learn through active exploration, and the drive to observe, interact, discover and explore are inherent in their development.  These traits are a natural fit for developing a love of science and engineering.  STEM, an integration of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics is a great way to introduce these skills for a preschool child. The link below offers classroom STEM lesson ideas that support the young scientists and engineers in your classroom.  Additional link; STEM lesson plans written by Preschool teachers during the Wee STEM PD during the 20-21 school year.  Thank you to the amazing preschool teachers who participated in this PD and wrote these lessons.  

STEM lesson ideas-Link

Wee STEM Lessons - Link 

Making Ramps 

Straw Rocket