Fun STEAM-Focused Learning Daycare Activities for Young Children

Inquisitive young minds can quickly grasp new concepts and are curious about the world around them.

STEAM activities for young children encourage hands-on learning at your daycare. It allows preschoolers to view the world from a STEAM lens that focuses on fundamental concepts of educational disciplines such as science, math, and arts. Daycare activities that integrate an active approach to learning help children enhance communication, problem-solving, and artistic skills.

The article explains the advantages of introducing STEAM lessons and how to incorporate them at your center.

Let’s learn:

The Basics: What Is STEAM-Focused Learning?

STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics. Activities for young children in a STEAM curriculum focus on simplifying complex concepts through interactive lessons and play.

Daycare providers can use discovery-driven learning to explore new concepts and create a base for core scientific principles children will learn at school. For many children, these daycare activities become a formative part of their academic education. They can use the knowledge you share in building upon concepts in higher grades.

The benefits of STEAM activities for young children are as follows:

● It cultivates a love for learning in preschoolers

● Children use logic and critical thinking to solve problems

● Group activities can help children develop strong interpersonal skills

● Children learn to innovate and create new things

Tip: Use our curriculum development guide and daycare activity ideas to introduce STEAM-focused learning at your

Top Picks: The Best STEAM Activities for Young Children

STEAM activities for young children focus on five educational disciplines. Use your innovation to introduce children to new concepts through interactive projects and learning sheets.

Here are some great ideas for inspiration:

STEAM-Focused Learning Activities for Science

Science is all around us. Use nature and creative art supplies to introduce preschoolers to scientific concepts.

Here are some suggestions:

● Grow a garden with your preschoolers

● Take care of a caterpillar to watch it grow into a butterfly

● Use colored dyes to teach students about diffusion

● Explore gravity with a ball

Technology-Based STEAM Activities for Young Children

Digital literacy requires you to teach children how technology improves their quality of life. Use online games, educational apps, and flashcards to make them tech-savvy.

● Teach young learners how to type

● Use educational apps and teaching resources to increase digital awareness in kids

● Organize field trips that teach students about technological advancements

● Use flashcards to show old and new inventions

Engineering Activities for STEAM-Focused Learning

Children enjoy building and creating new things. Use your learners’ interests to create activities that strengthen their motor skills while they learn all about engineering.

Here are some STEAM activities for young children:

● Use Legos to build buildings and bridges

● Create a maze by joining straws

● Teach them about wind energy by constructing a windmill

Tip: Use the National Association for the Education of Young Children educational resource centers to find more daycare activities.

Art Activities for Young Children

Art classes allow children to unleash their imaginations. Weave science and math into art activities to make learning educational and fun.

Here are some suggestions:

● Finger painting integrates sensory play and art activities for young learners

● Make a caterpillar using an egg carton and googly eyes

● Teach the importance of saving the planet by using recycled supplies to create art projects Tip: Download printable wall art to decorate your class.

Math Activities for Young Children

Make mathematics fun by thinking about how numbers work beyond the classroom. You can use pretend play to teach them how to add and subtract at a grocery store.

Other ideas include:

● Teach counting with a jar full of colored marbles

● Use the toy basket to teach young learners how to add and subtract

● Distribute join-the-dot activity sheets to teach young learners how to count

Let’s Get to Work!

STEAM-focused learning keeps children engaged and entertained through interactive daycare activities. It’s an excellent way to foster learning by breaking down daunting concepts and making them easy to understand and practice. We share creative and fun STEAM activities for young children through our printable resources and guides.

Looking for more ideas? Become a member of Standout Daycare to access educational resources, business coaching, and monthly webinars. We also share exclusive discount deals on our educational products for daycare providers. Contact us today for more information.