VietNam
Recognising the increasing need for high-quality STEM education programs at the preschool level, KidsEdu launched its STEM program in 2022 with the intention to equip young children (3-6 years old) with critical thinking skills, including creativity, analysis, problem-solving, and especially computational thinking – one of the most important skills for success in the 21st century.
In the article below from Vietnamnet, the importance of STEM education for preschooler development is further emphasised.
Kindergartens across Vietnam are increasingly embracing STEM education, integrating it into their curricula to support the holistic development of young students through hands-on activities and interdisciplinary learning. STEM, which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, is becoming a vital component in shaping the future of early childhood education.
Recently Tam Phu Preschool, Thu Duc City, students from the La 1 class (Leaf Class 1, ages five to six) participated in a STEM lesson where they created mini hot air balloons using craft materials. Under the guidance of their teachers, the children attached plastic straws to balloons and secured them to plastic cups, then eagerly watched their tiny creations float into the air.
Teacher Nguyen Lieu Phuong shared with Tuoi Tre newspaper that STEM education was incorporated into the school’s curriculum at the start of this academic year. Since then, her students have engaged in various creative projects such as constructing vehicles, houses, and boats using simple and accessible materials. According to Phuong, this innovative approach has been warmly received by parents, who appreciate the added value it brings to their children’s education.
Trieu Tuyet Mai, the Head Deputy of Education and Training of Thu Duc City, noted that the agency had organised training sessions for kindergarten teachers and school board members about STEM education before the start of the school year. The department actively encourages more preschools to adopt STEM education as a standard of their curricula.
In Hanoi’s Thanh Xuan District, Sasuke Preschool created STEM lessons to suit the developmental stages of their students. For instance, “pre-STEM” activities are designed for children aged one to three, introducing them to basic STEM concepts through age-appropriate and engaging activities.
Bui Thanh Anh, principal of MerryStar Preschool in Hanoi, during a STEM training course in Ho Chi Minh City, emphasised that STEM education equips preschoolers with essential soft skills like teamwork, along with foundational knowledge in technology and science. By exposing children to a wide range of skills and encouraging critical thinking, STEM education enhances their problem-solving abilities and helps them realize their full potential.
Ngo Thuy Anh, head of the Kindergarten and Primary Education Division in Dong Thap Province, highlighted that STEM lessons promote interdisciplinary learning, where concepts of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics are integrated rather than taught in isolation. “This approach allows children to not only grasp basic knowledge but also learn how to apply and adapt what they’ve learned to real-life situations,” she explained.
Phan Thi Hoan, an official from the Huong Khe District education division in Ha Tinh Province, added that STEM activities benefit teachers in some ways. Educators are required to continuously develop new engaging and creative teaching methods to teach STEM effectively, which helps prevent the monotony often associated with traditional teaching approaches.
However, schools like hers face many challenges, including the lack of STEM infrastructure, learning tools, and funding. “Flooding and other natural disasters have also made it difficult for schools in the area to establish proper STEM facilities for their students,” she said.
As Vietnam continues to invest in STEM education, these efforts are paving the way for a brighter future, where young learners will be equipped with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
