10 Tips for STEAM Thinking in Preschool Learning
1. Keep it Simple. STEAM activities do not have to be elaborate or use expensive materials.
2. Find out your child’s learning style. Find out how your child learns best by observing what he or she is doing and what part of the activities they like best. Use this information to engage your child in an activity or use it to challenge your child.
3. Prep the activity. Read through the tutorials and have materials ready to go before sitting down with your child to start the activity.
4. Break up the activity. Life is busy and preschoolers have short attentions spans. See how you can break up the activity to fit your family schedule. Maybe try one step each day or a few steps on a weekend morning.
5. Let your child lead the activity. If your child wants to deviate from the tutorial and create something else, let them! Encourage your child to follow their natural curiosity and explore what they are interested in.
6. Ask open ended questions. Prompt your child with questions like “what if” or “what would happen next” to help develop their critical thinking skills.
7. Make supplies accessible. Give your child a sense of independence by being able to get out (appropriate) supplies when they want to.
8. Display your child’s work. Have a designated area that is an art gallery where your child can chose what papers they wish to display or have a shelf that they can curate and display their own collection.
9. Extend your child’s learning with books. Check out the local library for books on your child’s favorite STEAM activities.
10. Make it fun. Preschooler learning should be fun and is about hands on experiences rather than the final outcome or product. If your child grows frustrated or doesn’t wish to participate put that activity away and try again on another day.
