The significant attention to pre-reading skills in early-childhood programs can sometimes overshadow other subject areas like science and math, but “STEM Starts Early,” a report released last year by the Joan Ganz Cooney Center, said that the “technology revolution has made it critical for all children to understand STEM.”
The report noted that parents, as well as teachers, need support and knowledge of how to encourage STEM learning through activities such as block play or gardening. The authors recommended giving teachers more time to engage in the same kinds of hands-on lessons that they want for children. They also recommend connecting families with libraries, museums and other community “charging stations” for additional STEM-related experiences.
