Check out the article below from The National Center on Early Childhood Development, Teaching and Learning.
https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/steam-ipdf.pdf
Incorporating STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) does not have to be complicated, tedious or require too much planning. It does, however, need to be intentional.
Children are curious learners and learn through their environments. Problem solving, math and linguistic skills are essential to growing brains and can be an easy and fun part of their daily environments.
A few fun and low cost or free items to include into a toddler classroom are as follows:
Cardboard tubes (paper towels- sanitation and licensing may frown upon TP tubes and let's just face it- ewwwww...)
Empty boxes in various sizes
Empty plastic bottles (eliminating small lids that can pose choking hazards)
Large wooden spoons and plastic utensils (think drums and making music)
Old Tupperware containers
pots and pans without sharp edges
Plastic coffee can lids
toddler friendly balls and soft blocks
cars and trucks with large wheels
Always keep safety in mind when incorporating items into your child's learning environments. And, remember, that learning means hands on exploration for your toddler. So, when they don't feel like sitting for reading/circle times: it's OK! Let them explore and use their curiosity. Concepts like spatial awareness, geometry, language development and social emotional growth don't always involve typical classroom activities. Especially for toddlers!
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