EXAMINING THE PRE-SCHOOL CURRICULUM IN TERMS OF THE STEM APPROACH

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the pre-school curriculum in terms of the STEMapproach. Qualitative method was adopted in the study. Document analysis was performed.In the data analysis, inductive content analysis technique was used. Seven themes related tothe STEM approach were revealed in the pre-school curriculum. These themes includedturning theoretical knowledge into practice/product, problem solving, development of skills,teaching of skills, the use of technology, integration and other statements related to theapproach, respectively. The findings showed that the pre-school curriculum was adequate interms of turning theoretical knowledge into practice, development and teaching of skills andproblem solving with regard to the STEM approach, while being limited in integration, usingtechnology, and including construction games. The issue that was emphasised the most in thecurriculum was skills. No content regarding how children can properly use technology wasencountered. As a result, there should be more emphasis on addressing the outcomes with aninterdisciplinary approach, and the curriculum should be improved for the use of technology.The curriculum content should be re-structured to attach the same degree of importance to allthemes mentioned in this study to make it compatible with the STEM approach