Nurturing STEM skills in Children PreK-3

"Current data on school readiness

and early math and science

achievement indicate we are not

giving young children the support

they need to be “STEM Smart.”

But how do we provide STEM support to best meet the needs of our young learners?  This quick article provides research based data, skills to nurture STEM and executive function.  In addition, this article lists FOUR great STEM programs that support STEM learning for Preschool.  

Nurturing STEM skills article- Link

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 

Virtual Science Trips

Sharing STEM Field Science without a bus

Looking for some great virtual science trips?  Use the link provided to share such learning locations as aquariums, zoos, caves, planets, and more.  While visiting these locations consider asking such questions as:

1) What do you see, hear, and notice?  

2) What type of habitat do you notice?

3) What other plants/animals might be able to live in this type of habitat? 

Virtual Field experiences- Link 

Building STEM connections in Early Childhood

STEM connections

This booklet/ article offers a variety of skills used in  Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics for ages 0-5 with a  description of developmental stages for each  STEM skill. Along with a list of resources and apps, this booklet would be a great resource to share with families.


Building STEM connections - link

Discovery boxes

Thinking Inside the Box-

Discovery boxes are a great way to stimulate students' natural inquiry, while promoting specific content (in the case of this article, healthy eating habits).   Interested in learning more, check out the attached link for a wonderful article regarding developing and setting up discovery boxes in a preschool setting.



Discovery box article - link