Playful STEAM Learning in the Early Years: An Educator's Guide to Screen-Free Explorations

“This essential guide shows readers developmentally appropriate and equitable approaches to deliver important STEAM skills to young children in ways that are both impactful and fun.” ―Julie Dobrow, Tufts University

Early childhood educators know the benefits of young children exploring STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, math), but many products and apps on the market are cost-prohibitive, confusing, and not playful or developmentally appropriate. Playful STEAM Learning in the Early Years addresses these barriers head-on, sharing practical approaches for introducing STEAM that are simple to implement and engaging for both children and adults. The authors provide evidence-based, hands-on strategies as well as a practical framework to effectively integrate STEAM learning in the early grades (pre-K to 3rd grade).

Book Features:

• Provides tips and strategies rooted in existing frameworks and guidelines, as well as the authors’ original research on the cognitive and socioemotional benefits of STEAM experiences.
• Empowers early childhood educators working in any setting (informal, formal, or home settings).
• Describes a new framework for the equitable design and implementation of play-based STEAM learning in early childhood settings.

Amanda Sullivan is a senior researcher at the National Girls Collaborative Project (NGCP) and co-creator of the ScratchJr Coding Cards: Creative Coding Activities. Amanda Strawhacker is the STEAM curriculum coordinator at Schechter Boston school in Massachusetts and has contributed to the development of commercially available educational STEAM products.