All About STEAM

What is STEAM?

STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art + Math.

Isn’t it too early to be teaching these things in preschool and kindergarten?

Not at all! Preschool- and kindergarten-aged children are capable of learning the fundamental concepts of these subjects. In fact, your child already is. Every time they build a block tower or sand castle, clap to the rhythm of a song, help measure out sugar for cookies, or drop twigs into a rain puddle to see if they float, children are learning to design, pattern, count, and test out theories.

What does a STEAM program look like at OSEC?

At OSEC, we purposefully build STEAM into our classroom environment and into the activities we do. Our classrooms are divided into learning centers - including math, science, sand/water, blocks, art, and dramatic play - where students have free choice of play twice a day. Allowing children to direct their own learning helps build skills such as abstract reasoning, problem-solving, persistence, and focus.

We also plan specific activities designed to teach age-appropriate STEAM concepts. On any given day, students might be building a block bridge across the classroom, designing a simple working circuit, writing and performing an original fairy tale, learning to code an app, or preparing a class snack.

Why should I choose a STEAM program for my child?

The world has changed dramatically in recent years. The economy and job market have shifted toward technology, engineering and science. Today’s children need a solid foundation in STEAM concepts to prepare for a successful future, and establishing this foundation at an early age will give them an important edge as they move into elementary school and beyond.