JFC simply learning to walk and run is STEM for a preschooler. Get a hold of yourself.

My youngest just "graduated" from Good Shepherd Lutheran in Gaithersburg. They are play-based, and incorporate STEM concepts into their classes. She started in a specifically "STEAM"-labeled class as a 2 1/2 year old there, which yes, had me snorting out loud when I first heard it -- what possible STEAM concepts could she absorb as a 2 year old? I don't know what she ended up absorbing back then, but I can say that last year in Pre-K, she got out of the car one day and pointed to a yellow leaf in the parking lot and said "look Mommy, it took off its green chlorophyll jacket." And she was making a "hypoffassississ" when I found her turned a sleeve of Solo cups and a box of craft sticks into a bridge that she piled Bluey characters on to "see how much it will hold". I considered it a win for both fun and brain growth. (But I had to go buy more Solo cups and put them up higher.) Good luck with your search!

I suppose you could consider the Pre-K programs at Feynman and Nysmith to be "STEM" preschool.

Anonymous wrote:None of these things are stem. It just sounds so strange to link that with preschool.

https://education.nsw.gov.au/early-childhood-education/leadership/news/growing-minds-the-importance-of-stem-in-early-childhood#:~:text=An%20example%20of%20STEM%20involves,assumptions%20and%20engage%20in%20physics.

None of these things are stem. It just sounds so strange to link that with preschool.

Even family daycares does activities at early age before 2 and 3

Anonymous wrote:I totally get this, OP!

I teach STEM classes for ages 2-7.

For the naysayers, STEM means different things for different age groups.

The following activities are considered STEM for young children:
- Making slime/play dough
- Making sensory jars
- Sink & float
- Magnet exploration
- Color mixing
- baking soda & vinegar explosions
- Mento "pop rockets"
- Sensory bins

.... amd much more!

We send our child to a pretty basic daycare center and they do all of these things. They do not advertise themselves as a "STEM" preschool lol

I totally get this, OP!

I teach STEM classes for ages 2-7.

For the naysayers, STEM means different things for different age groups.

The following activities are considered STEM for young children:
- Making slime/play dough
- Making sensory jars
- Sink & float
- Magnet exploration
- Color mixing
- baking soda & vinegar explosions
- Mento "pop rockets"
- Sensory bins

.... amd much more!

Are you kidding? Please tell me this is a joke.

The most important thing for choosing a preschool is warm, consistent caregiving. Second is location.

But if marketing typical preschool activities as STEM appeals to you, Goddard does this. I would imagine Bright Horizons does too.

Anonymous wrote:All preschools have age appropriate STEM activities.

Blocks center—helps them learn about physics and architecture. Playing with baking soda and vinegar gives me them exposure to chemistry. Observing caterpillars metamorphisizing into butterflies is biology. When they count colored plastic bears they are learning math. Going down the slide teaches them about gravity.

All of these are skills that will be the building blocks for their education. Find a preschool that offers a lot of fun, engaging, interactive activities and your kid will have a STEM education.

+1

All preschools have age appropriate STEM activities.

Blocks center—helps them learn about physics and architecture. Playing with baking soda and vinegar gives me them exposure to chemistry. Observing caterpillars metamorphisizing into butterflies is biology. When they count colored plastic bears they are learning math. Going down the slide teaches them about gravity.

All of these are skills that will be the building blocks for their education. Find a preschool that offers a lot of fun, engaging, interactive activities and your kid will have a STEM education.

Not officially labeled STEM, but our Montessori does reading readiness and Phonics and then reading, colors and numbers, basic math, and has a weekly science class. Ages toddler-K for that.

Montessori is not a trademark, so anyone can call anything Montessori. Each Montessori school will be different, so visit ones which are convenient and see if one fits your child.

Why is that so important for your 3year old?

Does this even exist? If so, can anyone recommend one in Montgomery County?