Parents' Perceptions of STEM: The Use of STEM Materials for Preschoolers in the Home Environment

Autor/inn/en	Strawhecker, Jane; Knoell, Christopher; Thompson, Paula; Shundoff, Nicole; Bardell, Angela
Titel	Parents' Perceptions of STEM: The Use of STEM Materials for Preschoolers in the Home Environment
Quelle	In: PDS Partners: Bridging Research to Practice, 18 (2023) 3, S.177-190 (14 Seiten) PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Zusatzinformation	ORCID (Strawhecker, Jane)
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	2833-2040
DOI	10.1108/PDSP-01-2023-0006
Schlagwörter	Parent Attitudes; STEM Education; Preschool Children; Family Environment; Young Children; Home Schooling; Critical Thinking; Parents as Teachers + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Elternverhalten; STEM; Pre-school age; Preschool age; Child; Children; Pre-school education; Preschool education; Vorschulalter; Kind; Kinder; Vorschulkind; Vorschulkinder; Vorschulerziehung; Vorschule; Familienmilieu; Frühe Kindheit; Homeschooling; Home instruction; ; Hausunterricht; Heimschule; Kritisches Denken
Abstract	Purpose: This mixed-method, collaborative study investigated parents' perceptions of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) learning through use of STEM kits specifically designed for in-home use by parents and preschool-age children. Design/methodology/approach: Parents with a child attending a community-based childhood development center and ranging in age from three to four were invited to participate. Data were analyzed for the participants' surveys, which were completed at two different times (pre and post) for this study. Findings: After utilizing the STEM materials with their child over a two-week period, the parents' perceptions of STEM content changed. The results indicate that regardless of the at-home STEM materials, positive outcomes for their child occurred, including the likelihood that their child would pursue additional STEM opportunities. Research limitations/implications: With a small sample size and a short timeframe for conducting the study, the results lack generalizability. The findings add information about the effectiveness of STEM materials for preschoolers while providing insight into educational opportunities in home environments. Originality/value: As the nation addresses workforce shortages in many areas, including STEM, rethinking STEM education during the first five years is important. The more opportunities for young children to engage in meaningful STEM, the greater the potential to pique interest and develop critical thinking skills. (As Provided).
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Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2024/1/01