The current climate of growing global political uncertainty started me thinking about how, perhaps now more than ever, the skills and dispositions which STEAM activities help children to develop are becoming increasingly important. I also started reflecting on the development of Reggio Emilia which, similar to STEAM, was a contemporary pedagogical approach at the time it was first introduced, another point in history which was filled with political uncertainty and change. I end this blog post with some simple ideas to help you introduce STEAM activities in an affordable and accessible way right now!
Young children today are growing up in a rapidly changing world shaped by technological advances, including AI systems with increasing capabilities, political uncertainty, and significant global challenges such as population ageing, shifting demographics, climate change and sustainability (UNICEF, 2024).
Similar to the rationale behind the development of the Reggio Emilia approach, STEAM activities aim to facilitate children to become resilient, independent, critical thinkers, problem solvers and collaborators. All skills necessary to participate in a changing world, navigate misinformation, learn how to use AI responsibly, and respond to major global challenges.
Sometimes we can worry as educators that we need specialist knowledge to introduce elements of STEAM into our early childhood practice, but we don't! There are plenty of easy, affordable and accessible ways to begin to incorporate STEAM into our ECEC practice and activities, even with the very youngest of children.
So, how can you start to introduce STEAM activities into your ECEC practice today? Here are some simple, low cost strategies you can use right now:
Ask children plenty of open ended questions using who, what, why where, when and how?
Provide plenty of loose parts and junk art materials for children to engage in design thinking and creativity, either alone or together in collaboration with other children.
Introduce STEAM language and words in your interactions with children. For example if you are blowing bubbles with babies and toddlers, name the body parts the bubbles land on (biology), talk about gravity making the bubbles land or the breeze making the bubbles float (science). Ask questions such as "How far do you think the bubble will travel?" (maths).
By fostering curiosity, resilience, and critical thinking from birth, we equip children with the tools they need—not just for the future, but to be active 21st century citizens with agency who can participate in, and have influence over, their own world today and into the future. Investing in STEAM in early childhood means building a generation of confident, adaptable, independent and thoughtful 21st century citizens and change makers.
If you would like to learn more, check out my book 'Full STEAM Ahead - Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Maths' which is filled with affordable and accessible STEAM in ECEC strategies and activity ideas.
About the Author:
Paula Walshe is a published author, Assistant Lecturer in ECEC at South East Technological University and PhD Candidate at Dundalk Institute of Technology. Her PhD research focuses on STEAM in ECEC.
Her new book "Full STEAM Ahead - Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Maths in Early Childhood Education" is available NOW from Boru Press.
In 2023 Paula published her first book entitled "Síolta in Practice" which is a guide to implementing quality standards in ECEC. It is published by Boru Press and is available here.
She is co-host of the ECE Quality Ireland Podcast. You can listen to the most recent episode here.
You can contact Paula or learn more about her work here. LinkedIn: Paula Walshe / Instagram: @paulawalshe77
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