Engaging Young Engineers: Teaching Problem-Solving Skills Through STEM

Boost young children’s problem-solving skills and set them up for long-term success with the second edition of this practical guidebook! Enhanced with new lessons and timely topics—including equity and the use of makerspaces—this book will help you get all children ready for kindergarten by teaching them basic practices of engineering design and critical thinking skills. Using a clear instructional framework and fun lesson plans tailored for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, you’ll guide your “emerging engineers” as they explore big ideas and develop new ways of thinking through engaging and challenging learning experiences. Practical materials include classroom-tested activities that incorporate children’s books, self-reflection checklists, practical strategies and modifications, Early Childhood UDL Planning Sheets, and blank Experience Planning Templates. EDUCATORS WILL Introduce hands-on learning experiences that teach critical thinking skills—curiosity, persistence, flexibility, reflection, and collaboration Demystify and teach key phases of engineering design: think about it, try it, fix it, and share it Support school readiness by helping children work toward kindergarten standards, including Common Core State Standards and Next Generation Science Standards Use universal design for learning (UDL) principles to ensure that learning experiences work for all children, with and without disabilities Encourage language and literacy development with suggestions for weaving reading into problem-solving experiences and using language to prompt children’s thinking skills Promote other skills needed for school success, including social-emotional skills, self-regulation, and executive functioning WHAT’S NEW: Three new themes: computational thinking, makerspaces, and inclusion and equity in STEM | Every lesson plan updated | More lessons based on new children’s books | New art/music/drama lesson options for STEAM-focused schools | More coverage of spatial development | Expanded information on assessment | Updated book resources and references