Help me give my students hands-on STEM learning materials to foster problem solving and creative thinking while preparing them for careers in science, technology, engineering, and math.
Welcome to the Ladybug Classroom... the spot for eighteen energetic, loving, and delightful Pre-Kinders plus two teachers who just love them bunches! Together we form a school family that works together to grow and develop through play-based learning and teaching - the way young children learn best.
Although it looks like we’re just playing, my little learners are engaging in structured activities to teach specific skills and knowledge.
Through participation in these positive play-based learning experiences, my children develop their ability to get along with others, learn cognitive and language strategies, and acquire the building blocks for a strong foundation for school success. Such a playful approach to learning builds on my children’s interests and responds to their ideas for play while making happier people who continue to love playing and learning.
My Project
STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) is an important part of the Pre-K curriculum because it pervades in every part of our lives. It provides many benefits to the young child through an open-ended curious approach while teaching them to think outside the box, collaborate, and work toward a solution. My project, "STEM Tinker Time," provides hands-on STEM learning materials that encourage problem-solving and perseverance as well as helping them attain their self-imposed goals through exposure to STEM materials. The children use their own ideas to create, build, and design using various materials. For example, the children can link up wheels, tubes, a propeller and more to create robots, helicopters, real-rolling vehicles, and anything else little engineers can dream up with the Crazy Shapes Magnetic Building Set. The children can build action-packed marble mazes using the Mega Marble Run or build 3-D constructions with the Ladder Links.
During these hands-on and minds-on experiences with STEM, the children develop a passion for it so that they one day may pursue a job in the STEM field.
With intentional teacher support and challenge cards, these developmental materials spark new ideas and challenge deeper thinking. Please support my project, "STEM Tinker Time," and give my students hands-on learning STEM experiences that will impact the rest of their lives.
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