We all know how vital it is to support a new cohort of young children to settle in to the preschool and early years environment at the start of each September. But...have you considered including STEAM focused activities as part of your settling in process? By using simple resources and materials you can integrate STEAM activities which can create a welcoming and engaging environment while also supporting early learning and play as children settle in to their new preschool.
Sensory STEAM Activities using Maths and Science
Sensory Bins: Fill sensory bins with different materials like coloured rice, gloop, coloured water or sand. Add scoops, funnels, and measuring cups to foster early maths and numeracy and science exploration as children discover the properties of the different materials. Encourage children to work together, share, and explore.
Ice Cube Painting: Provide paint and ice cubes in a Tuff Tray. As the children paint the ice cubes they will observe different colours mixing to form new colours. This activity also promotes creativity and scientific observation as the children observe the ice melting and the various different states of water as it returns to a liquid from its solid state.
Fostering Relationships through Engineering, the Arts and Bubbles
Block Building: Set up a block area with various sizes and shapes. Encourage children to work together to build structures, fostering cooperation and problem-solving skills. Place some tape at different heights on a wall and challenge the children to build towers until they reach the tape.
Puppet Theatre: Provide simple resources such as socks, paper bags, buttons, paper, string and felt along with glue and scissors for the children to create their own unique puppet. Encourage storytelling and imaginative play, helping children express their feelings and build social connections. Perhaps the children could discuss how their puppet is feeling about starting preschool!
Bubble Fun: Young children love to chase and pop bubbles. Blow bubbles for the children in the outdoor environment. Encourage each child to chase bubbles by calling out their names as the bubbles approach or land on them. This activity will help them get to know each other by name while also supporting them to feel comfortable and develop a sense of belonging all while they discover the magical properties of bubbles floating in the air.
Exploring the New Environment with Science and Problem Solving
Nature Scavenger Hunt: Print off a simple scavenger hunt sheet with images of items/flowers/bugs which can found in the outdoor area of your preschool. As the children undertake the hunt, they will learn about nature while they also engaging their observation and problem solving skills while they become familiar with their new preschool environment.
Indoor Obstacle Course: Use furniture, blankets, and pillows to create an indoor obstacle course. This activity promotes physical development, problem-solving, and spatial awareness, which are skills related to engineering, while also supporting the children to feel comfortable and connected to the physical objects and environment within their preschool room.
Fostering Identity and Belonging with Mirrors, Music & Technology
Self-Portraits: Provide paint and individual mirrors for children to create self-portraits. You could create simple easels from cardboard for children to use as they paint their portrait. Or you could even have the children paint directly onto the mirror as they observe their reflection, once their self-portrait is complete, take a photograph of it and print it off to display in the preschool room. This activity fosters self-awareness and creativity.
Cultural Sound Exploration: Introduce different instruments or objects that make sounds such as spoons, shakers, maracas, tambourines, xylophones, or even pots and pans. Encourage children to experiment with different sounds and rhythms. Create an online play list of appropriate songs and music from the individual cultures or in the home language of the children. Play the music using a Bluetooth speaker and ask the children to sing or play along with the beat. This activity stimulates auditory senses and promotes identity and belonging and respect for cultural diversity through self-expression while also fostering early numeracy.
Creating a Sense of Belonging through Engineering and the Arts
Group Projects: Engage children in collaborative projects like creating a group mural by sticking a long sheet of paper on the floor or on the ground outside. Provide various materials and tools for mark-making such as paint and brushes, crayons, stampers, sponges, spray bottles filled with watered down paint, egg cartons, silver foil, stickers, bubble wrap, toilet roll inserts, sticks, feathers etc. Discuss the theme of the mural with the children or just let them go freestyle - it's all about the process not the product after all. Display the finished mural in the hallway for parents/caregivers to see. This fosters a sense of belonging, togetherness, community and teamwork as the children learn to play and interact together in their new preschool.
Remember, the most important aspect of these activities is to create a warm and inviting atmosphere where children feel safe to explore and learn as they settle in and make new friends and foster new relationships. Adapt the activities accordingly to meet the developmental age and stage of the children and to incorporate their individual interests and needs.
About the Author:
**Paula's forthcoming book entitled "Full STEAM Ahead - Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Maths in Early Childhood Education" is due out in September 2024 from Boru Press.**
Paula Walshe is a published author, PhD student and Assistant Lecturer in ECE at Dundalk Institute of Technology. Her PhD research focusses on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, the arts and maths) in ECEC.
In 2023 Paula published her first book entitled "Síolta in Practice" which is a guide to implementing Síolta quality standards in ECEC. It is published by Boru Press and is available here.
Paula has also co-founded a Twitter community of practice page and podcast @ECEQualityIrl . You can listen to the most recent ECE Quality Ireland podcast here.
You can contact Paula or learn more about her work here. LinkedIn: Paula Walshe / Twitter: @walshe_paula / Instagram: @digitalearlychildhoodeducator
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