Approaching STEM education in preschool education: Child-centered

GD&TĐ - On the morning of August 25, the Ministry of Education and Training held a workshop on "STEM Education in the Implementation of Preschool Education Program - Current Situation and Solutions".

The workshop was held at Ho Chi Minh City University of Education, chaired by Deputy Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Thi Kim Chi.

Also attending the workshop were representatives of units under the Ministry of Education and Training; leaders of Departments of Education and Training and many teachers and education experts in the field of preschool education.

Applying STEM to improve the quality of preschool education

Mr. Nguyen Thanh De, Director of the Department of Preschool Education (Ministry of Education and Training) emphasized that preschool education (PED) - the first level in the national education system - is the foundation level, playing an important role in the formation and development of children's personalities.

Improving the quality of child care and education is a key task that needs to be done regularly, continuously, and in a developmental manner.

Mr. Nguyen Thanh De, Director of the Department of Preschool Education (Ministry of Education and Training) spoke at the workshop. Photo: Manh Tung

According to the Director of the Department of Preschool Education, in the context of globalization and the 4.0 industrial revolution, preschool education is adapting to the changes and development of the country and the world .

Applying STEM is considered one of the approaches to improve the quality of children's education, develop awareness, and effectively support the implementation of preschool education programs.

The fundamental and comprehensive innovation of Vietnamese education sets new requirements for education and training to develop the maximum potential capacities in each person, helping them easily adapt to life.

For preschool education, education based on learning through play and through practical experience has great significance in creating conditions and opportunities to form children's capacities, qualities and values ​​that society requires such as independence, creativity, positivity, confidence, ease of integration, ease of sharing... helping children apply and synthesize existing knowledge and skills to solve problems that are meaningful to their lives.

Organizing educational activities well in the direction of practice and experience according to the regulations of the Preschool Education Program is one of the solutions to innovate Preschool Education in the direction of developing preschool children's capacity.

Attending the workshop were leaders of the Departments of Education and Training along with many teachers and education experts in the field of preschool education. Photo: Manh Tung

Need to develop STEM education team

At the workshop, many delegates from the Departments of Education and Training, universities and preschools presented papers, focusing on issues surrounding the implementation of STEM education in preschool education.

The presentations at the workshop reflected a realistic picture of the implementation process of preschool education programs, including STEM education.

Delegates also assessed the suitability and effectiveness of STEM in implementing the Early Childhood Education Program, contributing to the development of comprehensive capacity and skills for children in the context of the 4.0 industrial revolution and the digital age.

In addition, the workshop also frankly acknowledged the advantages and difficulties in implementation, from quality assurance conditions such as facilities, equipment, documents, learning materials, to staff capacity and policy mechanisms.

Representative of the Preschool Education Department, Department of Education and Training of Lam Dong province presented a paper on the advantages and difficulties in organizing and implementing STEM Education in preschool education facilities. Photo: Manh Tung

Ms. Do Thi Hau, Principal of Phuc Loc Kindergarten, Dong Anh Commune, Hanoi, presented her paper. Photo: Manh Tung

Emphasizing the resource factor, Prof. Dr. Huynh Van Son, Principal of Ho Chi Minh City University of Education and his colleagues presented a paper on "Developing STEM education capacity for students majoring in Preschool Education".

According to Professor Huynh Van Son, in the context that STEM has become one of the important contents directed by the Government and the Ministry of Education and Training to be introduced into schools, equipping students in the field of Preschool Education with STEM education capacity is an urgent requirement. This is the foundation for future preschool teachers to be able to design and organize STEM education activities for children.

He emphasized that this is both a challenge and an opportunity to develop the necessary qualities and capacities for children, while meeting the requirements of the new Preschool Education Program.

Prof. Dr. Huynh Van Son, Principal of Ho Chi Minh City University of Education. Photo: Manh Tung

The research team announced the results of a survey on the STEM education capacity of Pedagogy students, including students majoring in Early Childhood Education. The study on 693 students of Ho Chi Minh City University of Education showed that the STEM education capacity of students was assessed at a fair level.

Specifically, most students have a relatively clear understanding of STEM education. However, there are still some who do not understand the true nature, leading to the organization of activities for preschool children not promoting the curiosity and exploration of children, even in a state of haste to do it for children. This approach does not reflect the true spirit of STEM, easily falling into "fake STEM" or "hybrid STEM".

In addition, students have grasped the basic principles and processes of STEM and STEAM education, but are still confused. In particular, the exploitation of the integration and connection between the characteristics of STEM and other educational activities in the preschool program has not been focused on.

To improve STEM education capacity for students majoring in early childhood education, Professor Huynh Van Son believes that it is necessary to have a comprehensive and general view, and at the same time propose 5 groups of solutions.

In particular, Professor Son said that it is necessary to build output standards on STEM education capacity for students majoring in Preschool Education; develop training programs and specialized training modules; create favorable conditions and environments for students to practice and develop their capacity.

In addition, it is necessary to encourage students to participate in seminars, workshops, extracurricular activities, and STEM clubs; at the same time, strengthen cooperation between pedagogical schools and businesses and STEM organizations to effectively support students' learning and practice processes.

Clarifying the STEM approach in preschool education

At the workshop, Deputy Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Thi Kim Chi said that based on the comments, the Department of Preschool Education will absorb and complete the draft plan to implement STEM education at this level to submit to the Ministry's leaders for promulgation before the new school year.

According to the Deputy Minister, it is necessary to clarify the issue: are we really implementing STEM education in preschools or are we approaching STEM?

Deputy Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Thi Kim Chi speaks at the conference. Photo: Manh Tung

Through the discussions, the Deputy Minister said that bringing STEM into preschool education has both advantages and disadvantages. The biggest advantage is that the age group of 1-6 is considered the "golden period" in human development.

However, there are still limitations: some places do not attach importance to STEM, while others apply it in an “excessive” way. The Deputy Minister emphasized that both of these approaches are inappropriate, instead, STEM should be considered as a tool to develop, stimulate thinking and creativity of children.

The Deputy Minister also noted that in the coming time, it is necessary to pay attention to developing the teaching staff, while ensuring the connection in approaching STEM between levels of education. The next steps in implementing STEM education in preschools will create a solid foundation to improve the quality of STEM education at higher levels.

The Deputy Minister said that the Ministry of Education and Training is currently completing the new Preschool Education Program, on the basis of inheriting the values ​​of the 2009 Program, integrating STEM approach criteria. The principle of STEM approach to preschool education is “taking children as the center”, considering this as the premise and fulcrum for development.

According to Mr. Nguyen Thanh De, in recent years, the Ministry of Education and Training has directed the implementation of program development, implementing the program according to an integrated perspective, taking children as the center... all of which are opportunities for preschool education facilities to apply advanced educational methods, effectively implementing the program's goals to improve the quality of child care, nurturing and education.

The Ministry of Education and Training, within the framework of capacity building training for staff, regular training... has also had training topics on this content.

The organization and implementation of STEM education applications has been directed by many Departments of Education and Training for preschool education facilities, creating certain effectiveness in organizing educational activities and implementing preschool education programs.

However, to meet the requirements of educational innovation, keep up with trends and innovations, synchronize with the implementation of innovation, and apply STEM education methods in general education, it is necessary to evaluate the implementation of STEM education in the implementation of the preschool education program.

From there, propose solutions and implementation roadmaps suitable for different regional conditions, improving implementation quality.

Source: https://giaoducthoidai.vn/tiep-can-giao-duc-stem-trong-giao-duc-mam-non-lay-tre-lam-trung-tam-post745684.html