Erasmus+, KA2
The project started from the idea of conceptualising STEAM to fit within the holistic vision of child development that prevails in ECEC (Early Childhood Education and Care), where the child is seen as a competent actor in their own learning process. Studies on outdoor environments and natural, open-ended materials showed how these can promote the implementation of an emergent pedagogy based on children’s exploration, on which a STEAM approach can build.
Within this perspective, the STEAM approach proved to be a valuable tool for ECEC professionals, as it helped transform their interactions with children, increasing both quality and meaningfulness. At the same time, it supported children in experiencing STEAM education through a more culturally balanced and holistic approach.
The main objective of the project is to enhance the educational quality of ECEC by using natural and arts materials to introduce STEAM topics in the very young children (1-3). The specific objectives are:
The project was structured around a combination of transnational meetings, training seminars and local implementation activities, aimed at fostering exchange, experimentation and mutual learning among partners.
A first key milestone was the kick-off meeting held in Parma (27–28 November 2023), which officially launched the project and defined its objectives, methodology and working plan.
Two training seminars represented central moments of capacity building and pedagogical development. The first seminar, held in Brussels (5–7 March 2025), focused on the core dimensions of the STEAM approach in early childhood education, including observing children in action, documenting learning processes, exploring materials and environments, and strengthening collaboration with families. The second seminar, organised in Piteå (10–14 March 2025), explored the concept of “physical verbs” and their application in children’s everyday activities, providing educators with both theoretical insights and practical tools to integrate STEAM into daily pedagogical practice.
In parallel, several coordination meetings were organised, including sessions in Porto (October 2024) and Ravenna (November 2025), focusing on monitoring project progress, analysing pilot activities implemented in preschools and refining the final outputs, including the development of a shared methodological framework and guidelines.
The project also included a testing phase in preschools across partner countries, where educators applied and adapted the STEAM approach using natural and recycled materials, observing children’s exploration processes and documenting learning outcomes.
Finally, between November 2025 and February 2026, partners organised a series of dissemination events, engaging more than 200 stakeholders, including educators, universities and research centres, to share project results and promote the STEAM approach at local and international level.
A guide to implement a STEAM approach within an educare pedagogy for young children presents the framework and rationale behind the STEAM approach and a theoretical reference for the pedagogical booklet and the visual lexicon. The objectives of this guide are to:
This guide is primarily meant for teachers, educators, childcare workers, coaches, team coordinators, directors, trainers and other practitioners or professionals working with young children1. The guide is also useful for supporting the broader educational community and local stakeholders connected to ECEC partners, as it explains the rationale behind this approach and how it can enhance existing pedagogical frameworks in ECEC across different European contexts.
It is not a “recipe” but a source of inspiration, meant to be adapted to specific contexts. Our enriching journey through the STEAMworks project has shown us that it can inspire other ECEC organisations to embark on their own path.
A pedagogical booklet to guide reflective practice containing inspirational stories combined with guidelines for the professional development of ECEC teams. The objectives of this booklet are to:
A visual lexicon to inspire practices through different STEAM verbs. The objectives of this lexicon are to:
