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Teaching STEAM in the early years | Learning and Development | Teach Early Years

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Teach Early Years magazine is the leading B2B title for early years teachers, practitioners and providers, offering expert advice on educating the 0–5s and operating a sustainable childcare business.

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STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) education has become increasingly popular in recent years, and for good reason. Engaging in STEAM activities can have a number of benefits on brain development, particularly in the areas of executive function for elementary students.

Executive function skills refer to a set of mental abilities that help us plan, focus attention, remember instructions, and juggle multiple tasks effectively. These skills are essential for academic and personal success, and research has shown that engaging in STEAM activities can help improve executive function skills in children.

A study published in the journal "Child Development" found that students who participated in STEAM-based activities showed significant improvements in their executive function skills, including working memory, cognitive flexibility, and inhibitory control.

Executive Functioning

Executive function skills are important for a number of reasons. They help us set and achieve goals, make informed decisions, and manage our time and resources effectively. They also play a key role in our ability to pay attention, remember instructions, and filter out distractions. Without strong executive function skills, it can be difficult for children to succeed academically and personally.

STEAM Activities

Here are a few examples of inexpensive STEAM challenges that can be done with art supplies and materials that can be found in most homes or classrooms:

1. Build a bridge: Using materials like uncooked spaghetti noodles, index cards, and glue, have students design and build a bridge that can hold a small weight (such as a small toy car). This activity promotes problem-solving and planning skills, as students must figure out how to use their materials effectively to create a stable and functional structure.

2. Design a robot: Have students use materials like paper, cardboard, and markers to create a robot. Encourage them to think about how their robot will function and what it will be used for. This activity promotes critical thinking and creativity, as students must come up with new ideas and solutions to make their robots innovative and helpful.

3. Conduct a simple science experiment: Using materials like food coloring, water, and a clear container, have students observe how different substances mix and interact. This activity promotes observation and prediction skills, as students must make predictions about what will happen and record their observations.

4. Make a paper airplane: Have students design and build a paper airplane using materials like paper, scissors, and tape. Encourage them to test and refine their designs to make their planes fly as far as possible. This activity promotes problem-solving and spatial reasoning skills, as students must think about how the shape and weight of their planes will affect their flight.

Overall, these activities provide opportunities for hands-on, interactive learning that can help elementary students develop important executive function skills, including problem-solving, planning, critical thinking, creativity, observation, prediction, attention, memory, and spatial reasoning. By engaging in STEAM activities, we can help our children develop the skills they need to be successful in school and in life.

It's important to note that the benefits of STEAM education on executive function are not limited to the activities listed above. There are many other STEAM activities that can help improve executive function skills, including coding, tinkering with electronic circuits, and creating art projects. The key is to find activities that are engaging and challenging for your child, and to provide them with the support and guidance they need to succeed.

Little Life Lessons 🧠 BIG Life Skills

Encouraging children to engage in STEAM activities can be a fun and enjoyable way to support their brain development and improve their executive function skills. So next time you're looking for a fun activity to do with your child, consider incorporating some STEAM elements into your playtime. Your child will have fun while also developing important skills that will benefit them in the long run.

Source

Lee, J., O'Neill, D. K., & Jenkins, J. M. (2016). Impact of a STEM-based After-School Program on Children's Executive Function Skills. Child Development, 87(4), 1094-1107.

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The Power of STEAM for Strong Brain Development - Cranium Kids Media

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Engaging in STEAM activities can benefit brain development, particularly in the areas of executive function for elementary students.

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In early childhood, we encourage STEAM teaching to integrate these subject areas within a meaningful context.

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Understanding STEAM and How Children Use It | HeadStart.gov

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This resource provides an overview of the Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM) components. Learn how children ages birth to 5 engage with STEAM concepts and materials. Find out how adults can work with children to support learning and development in these areas. Also explore an interactive learning experience. It is intended to help supervisors, coordinators, managers, and education staff.

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Building Bright Future _ Why STEAM is Essential in the Early Years -2 (1) - Adobe cloud storage