STEAMS for Young Children

Students will design and implement culturally responsive STEAMS curricula that integrate multilingual learning strategies (ELLs), special needs modifications, and community and family engagement. Through a blend of theory, research, and practice, students will develop age-appropriate lesson plans, learning environments, and assessment tools that reflect the diverse cultural backgrounds of children and their communities.

Using Dr. Gholdy Muhammad’s framework of joy, identity, criticality, skills, and intellect, students will learn to create equitable, inclusive learning experiences that celebrate children's cultural identities while preparing them for academic success in an increasingly technology-driven world.

This course explores the role of STEAMS (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics, and Social Studies) in early childhood education, emphasizing how these interconnected disciplines foster cognitive, social-emotional, and creative development in young children. Grounded in early brain development research, this course will examine how hands-on, inquiry-based STEAMS learning experiences support problem-solving, critical thinking, executive function, and cultural awareness.