Taking on STEAM

By Ettie Zaklos, Preschool of the Arts Founder & Director

Preschool of the Arts is proud to develop its own customized curriculum tailored to the evolving learning needs of our students. The objective of each monthly curriculum unit is to provide activities that create a love for learning, enhance social and emotional skills, foster independence and ready the children for future academic achievement.

In February, our monthly theme was “Full STEAM Ahead” – a full month dedicated to exploration, creation, invention and learning. The acronym STEAM stands for science, technology, engineering, art and math — subjects that are seamlessly integrated into our classroom environments.

Since children are naturally curious, our inquiry-based approach is ideally suited to their development as critical thinkers and self-motivated learners. STEAM at POTA takes on an active, hands-on and immersive approach to learning. Teachers introduce inspiring materials and objects to stimulate children’s curiosity and prompt them to think and ask questions. The scientific method comes alive in our classrooms, beginning the moment the child makes an observation, which is documented by the teacher and the child.

The Tu B'Shvat Tea Party at Preschool of the Arts was a magical and joyous celebration of the plant world! Our children were dressed adorably in their tea party best and the weather was perfect for outdoor festivities as we rang in the Birthday of the Trees with great fanfare.

Our youngest children enjoyed discovery and experimentation last month with a color mixing lab. Children were invited to combine primary colors to make new colors with paint and discover the endless combinations on the color wheel. Classrooms were also equipped with plenty of “tinker trays” — trays and bins filled with loose parts and materials that children can use to build and create. In an engineering challenge, our toddlers were encouraged to move beyond stacking blocks (and get their creative juices flowing) by exploring the stacking properties of a variety of new objects. From bottle caps to paper plates to Q-tips, children will attempt to stack items while learning about gravity and how size and weight play a part in being able to stack things.

Our three-year-old students had fun exploring the concepts of simple and compound machines and what they do. Children learned that simple machines use one part to do work while compound machines use two or more. These parts include inclined planes, levers, wheels and axles, pulleys, wedges, screws and gears. Children were then invited to create their own simple machines. Our talented engineers got to work designing a pulley system for lifting, a catapult for launching, and even collaborated to create a Rube Goldberg Machine using classroom and recycled materials!

Our Pre-K students put on their architect hats as they delved into the world of bridges. In a design challenge, children were tasked with designing a bridge solution that could bear weight. They hypothesized, experimented and tested out their designs, working together to create a bridge that held up to scrutiny!

The culmination of all our classes’ STEAM explorations this month was a “Cardboard Challenge.” This project allowed children to combine what they’ve learned about recycling and knowledge gained through STEAM activities this month to create a final project. Using a variety of recycled materials and loose parts, children were guided to create their own classroom imaginative playscape together. Teachers encouraged the process of planning, creating drawings and blueprints, listing the materials and tools needed, and executing a building plan. It was a joy to document the process, from start to the impressive completion, of the classroom projects.

By inviting children to use their own initiative, explore possibilities and take chances, we are thrilled to provide them with opportunities to learn.

As the winter months fly by, our preschool team is also busy developing our outstanding summer camp. Year after year, our theme-based summer camp programs for children ages 18 months to 8 years have been a tremendous hit with both parents and kids.

This year’s theme is “National Geographic Kids,” where, for six weeks, campers will learn about different exciting terrains and habitats around the globe. Families can sign up for all six weeks or for one of our two, three-week sessions, which run from June 7 to July 15. With high demand and limited availability, we encourage prospective families to enroll today. For more information, please visit our website at NaplesPreschooloftheArts. com or call 239-263-2620.