Volume II Special Issue IX December 2022

Name of Author : Mrs. Sangeetha G S, Dr. Deepa R P

Title of the paper : Need of Steam Education in Pre-School Learning

Abstract: This chapter explores the importance of integrating arts with STEM education for overall development of children. Until a few years ago, STEM Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics education was considered as a great opportunity to achieve a good career and a successful future. Later educators give more importance to the uniqueness of a child. Each child is unique and amazing in their level of creativity and imagination. They are amused in learning through artistic works and activities. So this chapter says that it is important to add arts into STEM to enhance their learning. So STEM is standardized and can be transformed into STEAM Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics. In STEAM, a childs creativity and expression are given first priority which improves their critical thinking. Preschool age is the best stage to start learning through STEAM, as it is the stage where their capabilities are brought out without adulteration of any external agents. STEAM education increases questioning power and encourages exploring wider areas. Creativity, out of the box thinking, planning, problem solving and critical thinking are the heart of STEAM education. When preschoolers start to learn through STEAM they develop a strong foundation on their basics which enables them to build new concepts which will be novel. Stronger the concepts formation from the preschool age, stronger the career foundation in the future is the motto of STEAM education. But the drawback here is that the preschoolers need their own time, space, pace and exposure to get into these activities and to give their full fledged performance. Once they start to show full involvement they can develop concepts on their own which lays strong foundation for future learning. This chapter explains the effectiveness and importance of change in the teaching learning process with the inculcation of arts into education.

Keywords : Critical Thinking, Problem Solving Skill, Creativity, Preschool Children, STEM (Science, Technology, Arts, Mathematics), Concept Formation.

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Page Number : 14-21