Informal STEM Learning for Young Children: A Systematic Literature Review

Xu, YY (通讯作者),Virginia Commonwealth Univ, Dept Counseling & Special Educ, Richmond, VA 23284 USA.
2022-7
Studies show that children spend considerable time engaged in informal learning outside of educational settings. Informal educational settings such as museums can provide a variety of opportunities to engage children in STEM learning and scientific discovery, which can increase school readiness. Research has also determined an achievement gap in students from low socio-economic backgrounds and in students who are dual language learners. The literature shows that this gap begins even before children enter formal schooling. This systematic review serves two purposes: to explore the impact of informal STEM learning (ISL) on school readiness and to examine the relationship between ISL and children's social-emotional development, particularly in children who are dual language learners. Using PRISMA procedures, we identified 36 eligible studies in this systematic review. The findings illuminate the important role of parents and/or caregivers and the quality of design and interventions used at ISL sites, such as museums and zoos, on how ISL can impact school readiness for preschoolers. No research was found to specifically address the impact of ISL on school readiness for children who are dual language learners. The implications from the findings suggest that further research is needed on ISL for young children, particularly considering the dearth in research on young dual language learners. The implications further suggest that parents, ISL site designers, facilitators, and educators can benefit from learning about the impact of ISL on school readiness.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
卷号:19|期号:14
收录类别:SCIE
语种
英语
来源机构
Virginia Commonwealth University; University of London; King's College London
被引频次(WOS)
1
被引频次(其他)
1
180天使用计数
19
2013以来使用计数
20
EISSN
1660-4601
出版年
2022-7
DOI
10.3390/ijerph19148299
学科领域
循证公共卫生
关键词
Informal STEM dual language learners school readiness social emotional development social emotional learning
WOS学科分类
Environmental Sciences Public, Environmental & Occupational Health