Had a wonderful visit with Wonder Years Learning Center early childhood teachers in Totowa, NJ. During the six-hour training, teachers were introduced to principle foundations of science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM) practices and content appropriate for toddlers through pre-Kindergarten-age.

We started off the session by exploring patterns and shapes in nature and in man-made objects and how engineers and architects incorporate patterns and shapes in their building designs. Time was also spent out in the schoolyard to observe patterns and shapes of the school building and local neighborhood. Teachers made observations and drew in their journals.

Teachers were also introduced to a wide-array of STEAM-based children’s literature that was aligned with each of the STEAM investigations that were undertaken throughout the training.

Teachers were introduced to age-appropriate and low-cost technology that can be incorporated within the early childhood classroom on a daily basis. Many of these tools can be incorporated within the block center such as levels, rulers, tape measures, and journaling. Additionally, each of the STEAM-based investigations undertaken during incorporated 21st-century learning skills: critical thinking, creativity, communication, and collaboration.

As always during my trainings, I like to introduce teachers to new STEAM-based products that are well-made and truly incorporate at least three of the STEAM disciplines. Teachers were introduced to Fisher-Price Think and Learn Code-a-Pillar Toy which introduces young children to coding skills on the very simplest level. Teachers had the opportunity to test out Start-Up Circuits which is a well-made toy to teach young children about electric circuits. Another well-made STEM-based toy the teachers were introduced to was Grippies Builders which is a soft grip magnetic building toy for toddlers.

Participants were also introduced to a number of robot building kits including Educational Insights Design and Drill Robot, and Velcro Kids Robot Building Kit by Velcro Brand Blocks. At the close of the session, teachers were introduced to tinkering, where children are given opportunities to take-a-part broken toys and household gadgets. Tinkering is perhaps one of the most powerful STEM-based learning experiences and center for any age.

As always it was inspiring to see such a motivated group of early childhood educators, as well as a supportive administrator who wanted to provide her staff with a quality and engaging introduction to incorporating STEAM practices and content within the classroom. I look forward to hearing how the Wonder Years Learning Center Staff will incorporate STEAM investigations and practices within their classrooms for the 2018-2019 school year. To get a “bird’s eye view” of the training, check out a sampling of the photos taken during the STEAM training for early childhood educators.

[envira-gallery slug=”early-childhood-steam-teacher-training-workshop-wonder-years-learning-center”]