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.
Section I: STEM in Early Childhood Environments 1. Science in Early Learning Environments 2. Technology and Young Children: Processes, Context, Research, and Practice 3. Engineering in Early Learning Environments 4. Mathematics in Early-Learning Environments Section II: STEM and Higher Order Thinking Skills 5. Designing an Assessment of Computational Thinking Abilities for Young Children 6. Engaging Young Children in Engineering Design: Encouraging them to Think, Create, Try and Try Again 7. Tinkering/Making: Playful Roots of Interest in STEM Section III: STEM Beyond the Classroom 8. Early STEM Experiences in Museums 9. Blockspot®: A Supportive STEM Learning Community 10. STEM in Outdoor Learning: Rooted in Nature
Lynn E. Cohen is Professor at Long Island University, USA. Sandra Waite-Stupiansky is Professor Emerita at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, USA.
