There are actually a lot of awesome early education technologies students could use for practicing everything from problem solving or engineering to math or even coding in Pre-K or kindergarten. Whether it is engaging them more successfully or actually introducing hands-on experiences, including coding, the right tech has a place in ECE and these are some favorites.
Coding with the Bee-Bot Emulator works just like programming your actual Bee-Bot Robot but is completely separate from the main Bee-Bot app. The digital platform even displays the directional buttons in the same ways and plays the same sounds to help create familiarity and continuity for children. Plus, the emulator is accessible online without downloads or installations.
To use the Bee–Bot See & Say model with a device, kids can download the Bee–Bot app from the app store. It’s available for iOS devices (iPhone and iPad) and Android devices, offering them the chance to bolster new coding skills while playing games. Most importantly, it creates a stepping stone to the next level of coding with the Bee–Bot
Though she works mostly with kindergarten aged students, Sara truly sees immense value in exposing kids to STEAM learning in early education. Not only does she truly consider this an opportunity to help them build relevant skills, she also knows the importance of inspiring them to get more excited about using new ideas to solve simple or complex problems.
STEM includes a massive area of content and subjects, making it possible for educational leaders to implement any number of strategies, technology tools, and ideas for creating STEM learning that’s suited for their particular students. And, one of those areas is early childhood STEAM—the relevant, hands-on learning experiences that students can have early in their lives.
Karim is a kindergarten teacher who’s committed to leading STEM learning opportunities for early education students in the classroom. Realizing the importance and value of STEM in early education, he’ll also be leading a new afterschool program beginning this fall to help introduce children to EarlyEd coding while also aiming to reduce inequities in STEM access.
The Cubetto is a wooden robot that educators can use to introduce kids to coding at as early as three years old. Perfect for students in preschool, Pre-K, and kindergarten, it features a 4-part system that helps ease kids into learning coding concepts and creative thinking skills. Plus, with the Cubetto bundles, it’s easy to integrate across a whole classroom.
We know that today’s students have grown up using technology and that many of them spend countless hours playing games or streaming video content on a device. Some say this stunts development while others say the stimulation is beneficial. While there is truth to each of these, it’s the educational tools and challenges that are most valuable for children.
Valerie is an author, educator, and huge proponent for STEM education. She’s helped lead hands-on STEM experiences for students and helped expand their minds with some of her favorite STEM-related books. Whether it’s hands-on coding or stimulating creative thoughts, Valerie definitely believes in the power of collaboration and community.
The all-new Sphero indi robot is nearing the end of its pre-order period! Shipping real soon, this entry-level robotics tool is the first of its kind from Sphero. With the indi, students can truly engage in open-ended, play-based STEAM learning and problem solving in the early grades as they explore computational thinking through play-based exploration!
