Give your child a head start by building a STEM foundation with fifty everyday, play-based activities for infants and toddlers
Innately curious, infants and toddlers love to explore, investigate, and discover—making the earliest years a perfect time to begin teaching the foundations of STEM. This book defines what science, technology, engineering, and math education looks like for this age group, and why it is so vital for children to develop STEM knowledge. Expand your understanding of STEM to lay the foundation for children to develop skills in critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity.
This book supplies fifty play-based developmentally appropriate activities for introducing STEM. All activities include extensions, inquiry questions, and tips on how to help parents strengthen children’s learning at home.
Jean Barbre, EdD, holds a master’s degree in child and family studies from California State University Long Beach, a master’s degree in counseling from California State University Fullerton, and a doctorate degree in educational leadership from Pepperdine University. She has more than thirty years of experience working with children and families in a variety of roles and currently teaches early childhood courses in community college and California State University system as well as presents at professional conferences across the country.
| Foreword |
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| Acknowledgments |
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| Born with a Sense of Wonder |
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1 | (2) |
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Part 1 How Infants, Toddlers, and Twos Learn |
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3 | (1) |
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4 | (1) |
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5 | (4) |
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9 | (2) |
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11 | (1) |
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Connecting Words with Real-World Knowledge |
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12 | (2) |
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14 | (2) |
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Part 2 The Role of the Caregiver |
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16 | (2) |
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Preparing Twenty-First-Century Learners |
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18 | (1) |
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Early Learning Environments |
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Educational Materials and Toys |
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24 | (1) |
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25 | (1) |
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STEM Early Learning Centers |
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Documentation: Capturing Learning Moments |
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29 | (3) |
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Part 3 Enhancing STEM Learning in Young Children |
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32 | (1) |
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Listening and Observing Children |
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33 | (1) |
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33 | (1) |
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34 | (1) |
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35 | (2) |
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37 | (2) |
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39 | (2) |
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41 | (2) |
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43 | (2) |
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45 | (1) |
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Number Sense and Operations |
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45 | (1) |
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Algebra: Patterns and Classification |
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45 | (1) |
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Geometry: Shapes and Spatial Relationships |
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46 | (1) |
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Measurement and Mathematical Reasoning |
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47 | (1) |
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How to Use These Activities |
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| Glossary |
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172 | (2) |
| Books That Promote STEM Learning |
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174 | (3) |
| Index of Activities by STEM Concept |
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177 | (2) |
| Index of Activities by Age |
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179 | (2) |
| References |
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181 | |
Jean Barbre, EdD, holds a masters degree in child and family studies from California State University Long Beach, a masters degree in counseling from California State University Fullerton, and a doctorate degree in educational leadership from Pepperdine University. She has more than thirty years of experience working with children and families in a variety of roles and currently teaches early childhood courses in community college and California State University system as well as presents at professional conferences across the country. Barbre is the author of several books including Activities for Responsive Caregiving and Foundations of Responsive Caregiving: Infants, Toddlers, and Twos
