STEAM Learning Centers: A Tool for Early Childhood Education
Abstract
The demand for workers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers is increasing in the United States. This increase has led to a growing urgency to implement STEM education in classrooms, including early childhood. STEM education is necessary to help students develop the skills to succeed in STEM careers. Integrating the arts within STEM, known as STEAM, encourages a developmentally appropriate method of STEM implementation with room for creative expression in early childhood classrooms. However, research has shown that many early childhood educators lack the confidence to develop and implement STEM/STEAM lessons. This article details how learning centers, a common element in preschool classrooms, can be used to introduce STEAM to students and educators with less stress. In addition, as educators gain experience implementing problem-based STEAM learning centers within the classroom, this may increase their confidence in using STEM overall.
Read this practitioner article here.
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Visualizing Math: How Number Lines Can Empower Problem-Solving
Abstract
Research has shown the importance of helping students, especially those with mild-to-moderate learning disabilities, to offload information during problem-solving. When students can get their thoughts onto paper, number line strategies can help them develop a firm foundation in mathematical problem-solving while understanding the relationships between mathematical operations. These strategies are helpful for the development of addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and later, fractional mathematics. In this article, we describe the progression of number lines as a supportive strategy for elementary students and those with developmental delays in mathematics to improve mathematical understanding. This strategy is based on students being able to show their work and think about what they have written on paper or how they have used manipulatives.
Read this practitioner article here.
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