Bringing together a diverse cohort of experts, STEM in Early Childhood Education explores the ways STEM can be integrated into early childhood curricula, highlighting recent research and innovations in the field, and implications for both practice and policy. Based on the argument that high-quality STEM education needs to start early, this book emphasizes that early childhood education must include science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in developmentally appropriate ways based on the latest research and theories. Experienced chapter authors address the theoretical underpinnings of teaching STEM in the early years, while contextualizing these ideas for the real world using illustrative examples from the classroom. This cutting-edge collection also looks beyond the classroom to how STEM learning can be facilitated in museums, nature-based learning outdoors, and after-school programs. STEM in Early Childhood Education is an excellent resource for aspiring and veteran educators alike, exploring the latest research, providing inspiration, and advancing best practices for teaching STEM in the early years.
"Meg goes to Maker School to hone her talent for building with boxes, but when Simone, another boxitect, arrives they become so competitive they nearly fail in the annual Maker Match." --
Stimulate and engage children's thinking as you integrate STEM experiences throughout your early childhood program. More than 85 engaging, developmentally appropriate activities maximize children's learning in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Each experience combines at least two STEM disciplines and incorporates materials and situations that are interesting and meaningful to children. As researchers and educators increasingly recognize how critical early childhood mathematics and science learning is in laying the foundation for children’s later STEM education, this second edition of Teaching STEM in the Early Years is a much-needed resource for every early childhood classroom. It will encourage you to think differently about STEM education, and you will see how easy it is to accommodate curriculum goals and learning standards in math and science activities. This edition provides updated research and references and adds Ideas for incorporating literacy with STEM activities, including children’s book recommendations STREAM It segments that incorporate reading and art into STEM with art and music extension to activities Suggestions for varying the difficulty of activities for a variety of learners
The foundation for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education begins in the early years. This book provides more than ninety activities and learning center ideas that seamlessly integrate STEM throughout early childhood classrooms. These hands-on STEM experiences enhance cooking, art, and music activities, block play and sensory table exploration, and field trips and outdoor time. Information on assessment and early learning standards is also provided. Sally Moomaw, EdD, has spent much of her career researching and teaching STEM education. She is an assistant professor at the University of Cincinnati and the author of several early education books.
Teaching Outdoors Creatively offers guidance and a variety of exciting ideas to suit the full range of primary schools and locations. Underpinned by current research and practical experience, it investigates innovative approaches to working creatively with children beyond the classroom. While recognising the diverse needs and opportunities that primary schools have to develop the outdoors as part of their curriculum, it presents a broad range of activities, philosophies and approaches. Key themes explored include: Understanding and using local and home environments Investigating streets and buildings in your area Planning fieldwork Using rivers to inspire children Forest schools Beach schools Physical education outdoors Learning through adventure. Teaching Outdoors Creatively supports teaching and learning in a wide range of settings, from schools in rural and urban areas, to off-site outdoor education centres and residential visits. With a focus on developing effective and stimulating learning environments for children it is a must-have resource for all busy trainee and practising teachers.
Teaching in the Outdoors provides a practical guide for getting students outdoors and helpful suggestions for maximizing the outdoor learning experience. It features the best articles on outdoor education ever published in Green Teacher magazine, including tips for leading fantastic field trips and the proper technique for class hikes.
Through real life understanding of teaching and step by step guidance, Learning through Landscapes shows you that every curriculum subject in primary schools can be taught outdoors. It also shows you that learning outdoors improves health, wellbeing and attainment and brings joy to your teaching.
Let Nature Be Your Teacher: Integrating Nature-Based Learning in the Elementary Classroom advocates for a transformative shift in elementary education through incorporating nature-based learning into the curriculum. In an era dominated by indoor education and heightened screen time, Louise Ammentorp and Helen M. Corveleyn respond to the urgent need to reconnect children with nature. This book aims to gray the boundary between indoor and outdoor learning, bringing students outdoors as well as bringing nature inside. Supported by a growing body of research in a flourishing movement for nature-based learning, this book highlights ways to incorporate authentic experiences across content areas. Each chapter offers vetted lesson and activity ideas that can be adapted to any classroom. Let Nature Be Your Teacher aims to inspire educators, parents, and administrators and equip them with the tools and knowledge to prioritize nature-based learning, fostering a generation that values and protects our natural world.