STEM education for young students: why start early?

Incorporating STEM instruction is a growing focus in early education classrooms, even though STEM-related concepts have long been a part of a young child’s learning experience. Blowing soap bubbles – science. Using a tablet or interactive visualization to play a learning game – technology. Block stacking: engineering. Count to 10 – math. What may have been viewed as simple creative play, the focus on STEM instruction has led to more refined planning around the approach, activities, and tools used.

From birth to 5 years is considered the most crucial period in brain development, so early childhood learning is essential. During this time, young children should engage in activities driven by observation, exploration, discovery, and interaction in which questions and hands-on experiences are essential. It is at this stage that inquiry and problem solving can be introduced through STEM related activities. By helping young students explore their interests and curiosities, an introduction to scientific inquiry comes naturally and can become part of their regular routine.

How to start

Before you can expect young people to relate their questions and interests to STEM topics and concepts, they must first understand each component of STEM. Use simple examples through hands-on activities and exploration to describe science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. For example, take the children to the playground where there should be scattered leaves. Ask them how the leaves got on the ground (science), then have them try to sort and count the leaves by size (math). If a leaf blower is used to remove leaves, ask the children how the blower works (technology, engineering). Kids can choose a few leaves to trace, glue on paper, or shade the edges (STEAM art).

Taking advantage of what children see and experience in their daily lives will lead to valuable STEM lessons. Make the most of young children’s curiosity and their natural desire to understand the world around them.

Here are some simpler ideas to get you started:

• Create a bulletin board dedicated to STEM and, with input from the children, add images or items that are examples of science, technology, engineering, and math. When an image or item is added, challenge children to think about how it might fit into two categories. For example, an image of an excavator could be an example of both engineering and technology.
  
• Keep a running list of STEM-related questions kids ask (Why is it raining today? How come it’s only hot in summer? Where do worms live? etc.). You can model this with think-alouds to help young people understand what questions can be asked to spark STEM-related thinking. Add to the list throughout the day, making sure to say how it can be answered using science, technology, engineering, or math.
• if you have a document camera, use it to magnify items you see regularly (leaf, blade of grass, flower, etc.). Talk about what they observe and ask them to record it in a journal (simple drawing, writing using familiar letter-sounds, or audio/video recording).
  

This may also be a good time to introduce easy-to-use STEM tools, such as 3d printers. With guidance, young children can design objects that would creatively solve problems they notice in their lives. For example, they can 3D print a cable clip for all the device cables used around the home to help keep things neat and secure. Or they can 3D print counters, cubes, and coins so they can learn math at home. Also, keep an updated list of these types of solutions for future 3D projects.

The more young students immerse themselves in learning about the world around them and see themselves as active problem solvers, the more their interest in STEM-related topics and activities will grow. Take care of it and its curiosities will take you everywhere!

For more information on STEM education solutions for all ages, click here.