Engineering for Preschoolers

Engineering for Preschoolers

Engineering is all about finding out how things are built and why. It’s about finding ways to construct things better, and it’s about solving problems through the development of new technologies. And for preschoolers, engineering is about play.

Little boy handyman with helmet and tool belt on stepladder. Equipment for construction works

 

Through their play, engineering for preschoolers looks like building challenges, blocks, marble runs, and sandcastles. It helps them develop early concepts they can build on as they grow. They begin to understand that tools help people do things better.

Pulling together an engineering unit study for preschoolers is about giving them lots of opportunities to build, explore, and discover. Instead of looking at it as if you were teaching them a specific topic or skill, set out new things to build with and let them discover the best way to build a bridge, or a tower, or any other challenge you can come up with.

 

Engineering for Preschoolers: Activities

Had you taken a look at the many fun activities for kids available around the web? It’s hard to choose what to do next. Incorporating engineering activities and challenges into your preschooler’s day is a breeze thanks to some of these fabulous suggestions.

 

Featured Engineering for Preschoolers Activities

 

Engineering For Preschoolers: Toys

There are so many fun toys that can foster critical, creative, and innovative thinking in kids. I’ve collected some of my favorite open-ended building toys for preschoolers {and their big brothers and sisters} below. I like to have a variety of building toys to pull out on a rotating basis.

 

Engineering for Preschoolers: Books

Books are a great way to get your preschooler excited about building challenges. Whether the book is a picture book or a project book, and no matter what its level, it can serve as a great jumping off point to get your preschooler thinking. Try checking out some of these titles the next time you’re at the library.

 

 

 

No matter how you get your preschooler thinking about engineering, it’s important that you allow them a chance to get creative with structures. The visual-spatial practice, creative thinking, and innovation will serve them well into the future.

Raising Creative Kids eBook

 

Did I miss a great engineering for preschoolers resource that you know of? Drop me a note in the comments and I’ll add it as soon as I can.

Enjoy those little engineers – and get creative.