Tinker – Playgroup Guide
Looking to provide playgroups focused on STEAM learning? Check out the Tinker Playgroup Guide designed for use with families of children ages 3 to 6 years old.
- Audience
- Educator
- Subject
- STEAM
- Age
- ElementaryKindergartenPre-KPreschool
- Languages
- English
You can use or adapt this playgroup structure to maximize playful learning about STEAM concepts during your playgroup. Be sure to also visit the Tinker collection to download the accompanying Family Activity Sheets.
This playgroup guide includes:
- Background on play-based, STEAM education and general tips for playgroup leaders
- Activities to integrate STEAM learning into your playgroup structure (in 6 different languages)
- Book suggestions
- Weekly session outlines
Related Resources
EducatorGuideTinker – Educator Guide
Tinker is a set of resources designed to support educators and caregivers in engaging young children with hands-on STEAM learning. Encouraging children to tinker gives them the skills to be creative problem solvers out in the world. Tinkerers make great discoveries, small and large. Children who are encouraged from an early age to tinker and […]
CaregiverActivityWind Races
The Wind Races activity is especially good for children to practice staying focused and deepen their curiosity.
CaregiverActivityExploring Ice
The Exploring Ice activity is especially good for children to deepen their curiosity and practice doing things their own way.
CaregiverActivityCup Creations
The Cup Creations activity is especially good for children to develop persistence and practice finding multiple solutions to a challenge.
CaregiverActivityCardboard Worlds
The Cardboard Worlds activity is especially good for children to develop their independent thinking skills and explore their creativity.
CaregiverActivityBoats Afloat
Make a simple boat by changing the shape of a material and see how much your boat can carry.
CaregiverActivityBalls and Ramps
Tinkering is about exploring and problem solving using materials and tools. Tinkering often starts with simple questions, like “What can I do with this?” or “How does this work?” The Balls and Ramps activity is especially good for children to practice using materials in creative ways and experiment with different ways of solving problems. Getting […]
EducatorGuideEngineering and Empathy for PreK & K
In these hands-on design challenges, engineering and empathy come together as an integrated whole. Elements of empathy are specifically drawn out to encourage students to consider the needs and feelings of the various stakeholders in the challenge in order to design successful solutions.