From Stories to STEAM: Developing inquiry-based STEAM activities for early childhood with picture books

This proposed workshop will present an ongoing research project, which uses children’s picture books to promote STEAM competencies among early childhood teachers (3-6 years olds). STEAM approach has been recognised as important and relevant for early childhood classrooms. However, the research shows that teachers often experience challenges in implementing STEAM in practice. Acknowledging the benefits of STEAM and addressing the reported challenges, the research project presents picture books as catalysts and inspirations for inquiry-based STEAM activities, thus building on teachers’ strengths and familiar practice of reading books with children. This proposed workshop will involve participants in engaging with children’s books as an entry-point to open-ended, hands-on STEAM investigations, as well as in reflecting on how the shared approaches for working with children’s literature relate to their own contexts and how adaptations could support diverse early childhood STEAM.