Abstract
This chapter describes a Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM) activity about water for four- and five-year-olds that relates to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In the activity, Japanese kindergarteners read a water-themed picture book and challenged STEAM activities that developed their curious minds and enriched their understanding of science in the context of the SDGs. The children thought about a model of water in a creative way, learned about water pollution and purification by using natural things, and they discussed natural disaster prevention through STEAM-oriented play. Through the activities that involved playing with water, kindergartners could also learn about breakwaters, dams, and the history of flood control in a community. These learning activities may provide a fundamental basis for comprehending how to achieve peace and well-being as well. In twenty-first century society, which is highly information-oriented, it is important for children to acquire science literacy to prevent information poverty, as well as to acquire the competencies necessary to become practical innovators and collectively create new values and a better society. Integrated STEAM play involving familiar communities and cultures has great potential.
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Acknowledgements
I am grateful to Ms. Yu Utsunomiya and teachers in Ehime University Kindergarten on the development and implementation of the STEAM activities. This work was supported by JSPS KAKENHI Grant Number JP17H00821.
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Sumida, M. (2022). Transformation of Young Children’s Minds, Lives, and Society Through Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) Play About Water. In: Tunnicliffe, S.D., Kennedy, T.J. (eds) Play and STEM Education in the Early Years. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-99830-1_17
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