VietNam
At STEAMeGarten Preschool in Hanoi, Vietnam, preschoolers are not just playing; they are learning to code and solve problems through fun activities with robots like mTiny and Whalesbot. With the KidsEdu STEM curriculum, children are introduced to the exciting world of computational thinking, a skill that empowers them to tackle challenges like little innovators.
The Importance of Computational Thinking in Early Education
What is Computational Thinking?
Computational thinking is a problem-solving process that involves breaking down complex problems into manageable parts, recognizing patterns, and developing solutions. It’s not just about coding; it’s a way of thinking that helps children approach challenges in a structured manner.
Why Start Early?
Introducing computational thinking at an early age has numerous benefits. It enhances critical thinking skills, encourages creativity, and prepares children for a future where technology plays a crucial role. By engaging preschoolers in STEM education, we lay the foundation for lifelong learning and innovation.
The Cool Ways KidsEdu STEM Teaches Computational Thinking
Thanks to the brilliant mind of Professor Jeannette Wing, who coined the term, we know that computational thinking is all about breaking down problems, spotting patterns, and testing solutions. And guess what? These are exactly the kinds of skills our little students at STEAMeGarten Preschool are picking up while playing with coding robots!
- Spotting Patterns and Thinking Abstractly
When kids use coding cards to program actions for the robots—like turning left, turning right, stopping, or going straight—they start noticing patterns in how the robots move. After a few rounds, they realize that certain combinations of actions lead to specific outcomes, like getting the robot to a goal. Before long, these tiny geniuses understand they can use patterns to predict the robot’s behavior. They’re learning to think abstractly—turning a playful robot game into a lesson in logic and creativity!
- Breaking Down Big Problems into Tiny Tasks
Ever been stumped by a big problem? Kids get it, too! But in the KidsEdu STEM classes, they learn a cool trick: breaking things down into smaller steps. Whether it’s guiding Whalesbot to grab a treasure or helping mTiny find its way through a maze, kids break down the challenge into tiny tasks. One step at a time, they program their robots, and ta-da! Problem solved. This simple but powerful skill helps them feel like real problem-solving pros.
- Organizing and Analyzing Information
Writing code for a robot is like telling a story—it has to be in the right order, or it won’t make sense! As kids program their robots, they learn to think carefully about the instructions they give. If something goes wrong, they stop and think: “What happened? Why did the robot turn left instead of right?” This analyzing process teaches them how to organize information and make sense of it, which is pretty amazing for kids so young!
- Testing and Fixing Their Solutions
One of the coolest things about coding robots is that kids can see the results of their work right away. If mTiny doesn’t go where it’s supposed to, no problem! They can tweak the code by rearranging the coding cards and try again. This gives kids the confidence to keep experimenting and refining their ideas. It’s like a fun puzzle that encourages them to keep going, even when they don’t get it right the first time.
A Real-Life Story from STEAMeGarten Preschool
At STEAMeGarten, we had a class of 5-year-olds who recently had their turn with Whalesbot. The task? Help Whalesbot navigate an obstacle course! The kids were full of energy, but their first few tries didn’t quite work out—Whalesbot kept bumping into things! But instead of giving up, they took a closer look. One clever student, Lê Ngọc, noticed that Whalesbot was turning left at the wrong time. After figuring out what went wrong, she fixed the code with her team’s help. Success! The robot made it to the finish line.
This wasn’t just a win for Whalesbot—it was a big step for the kids, too. They learned how to stick with a problem, think about solutions, and work together to fix things. And they had so much fun doing it!
Why These Skills Matter
Beyond Coding: Real-World Applications
The best part about learning computational thinking with the KidsEdu preschool STEM curriculum is that these skills go far beyond coding robots. Whether it’s solving math problems, figuring out puzzles, or tackling everyday challenges, the skills preschoolers pick up here help them think smarter, break down big problems, and stay persistent. Plus, they get to do it all in a way that feels more like playing than learning.
Creating Future Innovators
After one year of introducing the KidsEdu STEM curriculum to STEAMeGarten Preschool, we’ve realized that we are not just preparing kids for the future—we’re helping them have an amazing time while learning to think like little innovators!
The KidsEdu STEM curriculum at STEAMeGarten Preschool not only prepares children for future challenges but also makes learning an enjoyable adventure. By fostering computational thinking through play, we are nurturing a generation of problem solvers and innovators.
Ready to empower your preschooler with essential skills? Explore the KidsEdu STEM curriculum today!
