Engineering
Introduction and Importance
Children in Early Childhood education are introduced to this aspect of engineering through concepts of design and construction among others. Through this type of interactive activities, kids are able to learn how things are produced and work. The activities will encourage innovation, reasoning and collaboration. As the children execute various activities, they develop their skills of watching, planning, testing and perfecting that idea. It is important in developing their cognitive, motor and social behaviour. Engaging in activities pertaining to engineering makes children learn how to solve problems, be logical and work with others. Exposure of children to knowledge on engineering at an early age ensures that they are prepared to receive knowledge on STEM things (science, technology, engineering and math). This equips them with the abilities to identify the problems and to address them.(Major, 2018)
Creativity Theories and Perspectives
The subject of engineering builds creativeness based on different theories of learning. The Sociocultural Theory presented by Lev Vygotsky focuses on the crucial role of social interaction during the cognitive development. In learning to develop the engineering ideas, children step out to play together by discussing, trying and perfecting the projects. According to the Vygotsky theory, children learn better with the help of such tools as building materials and simple machines in order to solve their problems and think critically.
The activities in engineering are also informed by the Cognitive Development Theory by Jean Piaget. Piaget was of the opinion that children learn better by doing. They enable children to explore actively through engineering tasks where children can manipulate, experiment and investigate problems that are encountered in the real world. The children learn trial and error and thus come to learn cause effect, space and material properties, which builds on their learning of creative thoughts and cognitive skills. https://pin.it/5FI39oXFm
Resources, Materials, and Digital Technologies
Resources:
LEGO and building toys and construction-based toys to be designed physically.
The books on the concepts of engineering, like the functioning of bridges or machines.
Sketches and plans of simple works of engineering.
Educational posters and visuals that are related to engineering.
Materials:
Cardboard, plastic bowl , and colour paper material that can be made into structures.
Building and measuring by using materials such as child-safe scissors, glue, tape, and rulers.
colored plastic tumblers,cardboards,water.
Modeling dough or clay to design and make prototypes.
Digital Technologies:
Designing and solving problems using engineering apps.
Internet websites with challenges in engineering.
Through videos and tutorials showing how to do engineering.
AR devices to investigate engineering designs.
Learning Experiences Examples
0-2 years: Build a pile and see what balance is.
2-3 years: The basic building-purpose bridge with soft materials to experience power and balance.
3-5 years: Create and test boats or cars by using recycled materials to know about moving and stability.
Opportunities in Creative Learning
0-2 Years: Stack Fun!- Toddlers utilise blocks of different dimensions in establishing piles with toys as they have fun learning (using their hands) about balance, stability and equilibrium at an early stage.
2-3 Years: Bridge Builders- Children practice thinking in three dimensions by making bridges with recycled materials and experimenting with ideas on how things stay up: strength, balance, and structure by making their own creative hasty bridges.
3-5 years
Boat race" construction and experiment because of buoyancy of boats in the water.
Digital Evidence
0-2 years
https://youtube.com/shorts/JMHaCHfw2cg
2-3 years
https://youtube.com/shorts/ap9mWNyL-Qw?si=1xhxXrrH4CO9lnZW
3-5 years
https://youtube.com/shorts/ecDOPZyyW4A?si=HAbbO3zOoeC2h72W
Critical Reflection and Evaluation
I know that it is important to achieve a fun environment, where people are encouraged to practice by themselves and be creative. To enhance their thinking and creativity, children require to ascertain, cooperate, and find solutions to problems. I will be able to trigger curiosity, critical thinking, and resilience using various engineering activities. This will facilitate the basic skills that the children will require at school and in their life, as well as provide them with building blocks to further learning not only in engineering but also in the other areas.(Bridle et al., 2025)