As the world turns to artificial intelligence and robots, Grace Village engages story-telling, creativity, resourcefulness, observations, play-based learning and a genuine desire to sculpt your child’s learning and discovery.
This is the world of STEM in early childhood learning. Forget formulas, chemicals and coding. It is where tiny humans can explore and grow, where science and technology come together through imagination and play.
What is STEM?
STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. It is an approach to learning, and development that integrates the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. It helps children learn key skills including:
- Problem solving
- Creativity
- Teamwork
- Independent thinking
- Initiative
- Communication
- Digital literacy
- Critical analysis
Why is STEM important?
We know it may be hard to comprehend what the workforce will look like in 15 years, let alone your child entering the workforce. What we do know, is it will be very different, with automation already replacing traditional jobs and tasks, as new jobs in technology are created.
It’s not just the skills your child will need for these new jobs and advances. It is the way children and students will learn, connect and interact every day, that will enable them to adapt to a fast-changing workplace.
STEM and early childhood learning
STEM in early learning isn’t just about technology, it is an approach to learning. It is providing learning environments that help develop young children’s curiosity and critical thinking skills.
The content of STEM learning is important, but what is just as significant are the skills they will gain through it – creating and improving a children’s ability to think and look at the world through an inquiry, problem-based, project-based and engineering design process.
STEM at Grace Village
Designed to engage young children in learning activities associated with STEM thinking, the Grace Village STEM program uses play, fun, experimentation and investigation to help children familiarise themselves with STEM practices and thinking.
Using the right tools, children can be creative and innovative in the STEM space, playing to their strengths through their imagination and during play.
For the digital element, little villagers embrace iPad play through numerous apps allowing them to explore, and experiment with playful and engaging STEM concepts in a safe and welcoming environment.
Our robotics and technology program through LEGO focuses on how our early learners decode and encode information and features a range of hands-on activities, including making models by exploring and experimenting with different designs.
What you can do at home
As we all know, the experiences children have during their early years are extremely important. Your role and ours as your children’s first teachers is vital in creating opportunities that promote learning in a fun and safe environment.
You can bring STEM skills into the home by creating play that fosters curiosity and questioning.
It’s easy and we can help you introduce key STEM skills by:
- Encouraging them to ask questions
- Teaching them to think creatively
- Getting them to work together as a team
- Recognise and solve problems, and test different solutions
- Explore and take calculated risks
- Trying new ways of doing things.
We love the WA Department of Education’s “Exploring STEM at Home“. This is a great resource for parents to strengthen your child’s STEM skills through play, featuring lots of fun activities to do with your child in the kitchen, in the yard, at the park, during bath time, and even in the dark!
Grace Village. Building the brains of our next generation.
At Grace Village, we see all the possibilities & dreams and continue to incorporate STEM activities into your little one’s day.
