Nature play: Observing sea animals
Camouflage, communication, classification, counting: Being immersed in nature is a great opportunity to observe, ask questions, form hypotheses and learn about STEM concepts.
Free resources
Our resource section aims to support your daily practice by sparking ideas for exploration with the children and reflection on your professional journey. We also share ideas on how to initiate STEM conversations and investigations from reading popular children’s books.
Fresh air, free play and focused minds
Free unstructured outdoor play is important for children’s motor, social skills and language development. How do educators best balance guidance and safety with free exploration?
Our favourite 3: Optics
Children spy so many things in their environment: colours, light and shadow, the sun. Let books open the world of optics for you.
STEM leaders in early childhood education
Find out how inquiry-based practices support the STEM learning experience. Every educator – including you! – can facilitate joyful STEM education in early childhood services.
Integrating Indigenous perspectives
Integrating Indigenous perspectives into early childhood environments brings benefits for all children, as well as educators. Some ideas may help shape a more holistic approach.
Sustainability: Reusable dryer sheets
Small changes can go a long way. Read about this child-led investigation that led to more environmentally friendly practices in the service and at home.
Our favourite 3: Mathematics
Many books rely on mathematical concepts and can help you start a journey of exploration that takes you beyond counting and shape spotting.
Sorting and classifying dinosaurs
Sorting and classifying are important STEM skills that children can train while finding out more about dinosaurs. How many different ways of sorting dinosaurs can you think of?
What to do with a dinosaur question
It is possible to take an inquiry-based approach to factual dinosaur questions. Hayley demonstrates how facts don’t have to end the questioning but rather start new conversations.