Starting at Home: What Does the Literature Indicate about Parental Involvement in Early Childhood STEM Education?
Abstract
:1. Introduction
1.1. STEM Education
1.2. STEM Education, Preschoolers, and Parent Engagement
2. The Objective of the Literature Review
3. Methods
4. Results
4.1. Ways in Which Parental Involvement Is Expressed during the Performance of STEM Activities
4.2. Effects of Parental Engagement on STEM Learning
4.3. Effects of Parents’ Education or Experience on Their Involvement in STEM Activities and on Their Children’s Learning
4.4. Parents’ Beliefs and Emotions about STEM
4.5. Parents’ Perception of the STEM Programs in Which They or Their Children Participated
4.6. Potential of STEM Activities to Promote Parental Involvement
4.7. Key Points of Vigilance Studying Parental Involvement
5. Discussion
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Acknowledgments
Conflicts of Interest
References
- Richardson, D.; Dugarova, E.; Higgins, D.; Hirao, K.; Karamperidou, D.; Mokomane, Z.; Robila, M. Families, Family Policy and the Sustainable Development Goals. UNICEF Office of Research—Innocenti: Firenze, Italy, 2020; Available online: https://www.unicef-irc.org/publications/1092-families-family-policy-and-the-sustainable-development-goals.html (accessed on 2 November 2021).
- Moore, T.J.; Johnston, A.; Glancy, A. STEM Integration: A Synthesis of Conceptual Frameworks and Definitions. In Handbook of Research on STEM Education, 1st ed.; Johnson, C.C., Mohr-schroeder, M.J., Moore, T.J., Lyn, D., Eds.; Routledge: New York, NY, USA, 2020; pp. 3–16. [Google Scholar]
- Radeva, S. STEM Education Should Support and Encourage 21st Century Skills of Children and Sustainability and United National Goals. In Key Points for STEM in Early Childhood Education and Involving Parents: A Guidebook for Early Childhood Educators, 1st ed.; Ünlü Çetin, Ş., Bilican, K., Üçgül, M., Eds.; Kirikkale Universıty: Kirikkale, Turkey, 2020; pp. 3–9. [Google Scholar]
- Anfara, V.A.; Mertens, S.B. Varieties of Parent Involvement in Schooling. Middle Sch. J. 2008, 39, 58–64. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Hoover-Dempsey, K.V.; Walker, J.M.T.; Sandler, H.M.; Whetsel, D.; Green, C.L.; Wilkins, A.S.; Closson, K. Why Do Parents Become Involved? Research Findings and Implications. Elem. Sch. J. 2005, 106, 105–130. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
- Cabello, V.M.; Martínez, M.L.; Armijo, S.; Maldonado, L. Promoting STEAM learning in the early years: “Pequeños Científicos” Program. LUMAT Int. J. Math Sci. Technol. Educ. 2021, 9, 33–62. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Heckman, J.; Pinto, R.; Savelyev, P. Understanding the Mechanisms Through Which an Influential Early Childhood Program Boosted Adult Outcomes. Am. Econ. Rev. 2013, 103, 2052–2086. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Green Version]
- Corporación de Fomento de la Producción (CORFO). Preparando a Chile Para la Sociedad del Conocimiento: Hacia una Coalición que Impulse la Educación STEAM. Fundación Chile: Santiago, Chile, 2017. Available online: https://www.ecosisteam.cl/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Coalicion-educacion-STEAM.pdf (accessed on 15 July 2021).
- World Economic Forum. The Fourth Industrial Revolution: What it Means, How to Respond. Available online: https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2016/01/the-fourth-industrial-revolution-what-it-means-and-how-to-respond/ (accessed on 8 July 2021).
- Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). PISA 2015 Assessment and Analytical Framework: Science, Reading, Mathematic and Financial Literacy, PISA; OECD Publishing: Paris, France, 2016. [Google Scholar]
- Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). OECD Future of Education and Skills 2030. OECD Learning Compass 2030. A Series of Concept Notes. 2019. Available online: http://www.oecd.org/education/2030-project/teaching-and-learning/learning/learning-compass-2030/OECD_Learning_Compass_2030_Concept_Note_Series.pdf (accessed on 13 January 2022).
- World Economic Forum. The Future of Jobs. Employment, Skills and Workforce Strategy for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. 2016. Available online: http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Future_of_Jobs.pdf (accessed on 15 July 2021).
- Naciones Unidas. La Agenda para el Desarrollo Sostenible. Available online: https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/es/development-agenda/ (accessed on 20 November 2021).
- Hurst, M.; Polinsky, N.; Haden, C.; Levine, S.; Uttal, D. Leveraging Research on Informal Learning to Inform Policy on Promoting Early STEM. Soc. Policy Rep. 2019, 32, 1–33. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Education Policy Outlook 2019: Working Together to Help Students Achieve Their Potential. 2019. Available online: https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/sites/2b8ad56e-en/1/2/1/index.html?itemId=/content/publication/2b8ad56e-en&_csp_=6d1f20beef1d6dab8c7d7bbdf58d1d79&itemIGO=oecd&itemContentType=book (accessed on 15 July 2021).
- Chapman, S.; Vivian, R. Engaging the future of STEM: A Study of International Best Practice for Promoting the Participation of Young People, Particularly Girls, in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM). 2017. Available online: https://cew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Engaging-the-future-of-STEM.pdf (accessed on 13 January 2022).
- Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development OECD. Encouraging Quality in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC). 2013. Available online: http://www.oecd.org/education/school/49322478.pdf (accessed on 15 July 2021).
- Susperreguy, M.I.; Di Lonardo Burr, S.; Xu, C.; Douglas, H.; LeFevre, J.; LeFevre, J.-A. Children’s Home Numeracy Environment Predicts Growth of their Early Mathematical Skills in Kindergarten. Child Dev. 2020, 91, 1663–1680. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Couso, D.; Simarro, C. STEM Education Through the Epistemological Lens: Unveiling the Challenge of STEM Transdisciplinarity. In Handbook of Research on STEM Education, 1st ed.; Johnson, C.C., Mohr-schroeder, M.J., Moore, T.J., Lyn, D., Eds.; Routledge: New York, NY, USA, 2020; pp. 17–28. [Google Scholar]
- Johnson, C.C.; Mohr-schroeder, M.J.; Moore, T.J.; Lyn, D. Handbook of Research on STEM Education, 1st ed.; Routledge: New York, NY, USA, 2020. [Google Scholar]
- Perignat, E.; Katz-Buonincontro, J. STEAM in practice and research: An integrative literature review. Think. Ski. Creat. 2019, 31, 31–43. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Piro, J. Going from STEM to STEAM: The Arts Have a Role in America’s Future, Too. Educ. Week 2010, 29, 28–29. [Google Scholar]
- Marín-Marín, J.A.; Moreno-Guerrero, A.J.; Dúo-Terrón, P.; López-Belmonte, J. STEAM in education: A bibliometric analysis of performance and co-words in Web of Science. Int. J. STEM Educ. 2021, 8, 41. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- EduCaixa. Entrevista a Digna Couso: STEAM, Ciencia Para Todos [Video]. 2018. Available online: https://educaixa.org/es/-/entrevista-a-digna-couso (accessed on 18 November 2021).
- Wan, Z.H.; Jiang, Y.; Zhan, Y. STEM Education in Early Childhood: A Review of Empirical Studies. Early Educ. Dev. 2020, 32, 940–962. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Ravanis, K.; Kaliampos, G.; Pantidos, P. Preschool Children Science Mental Representations: The Sound in Space. Educ. Sci. 2021, 11, 242. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Gerde, H.K.; Pikus, A.E.; Lee, K.S.; Van Egeren, L.A.; Quon Huber, M.S. Head Start children’s science experiences in the home and community. Early Child. Res. Q. 2021, 54, 179–193. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Hapgood, S.; Czerniak, C.M.; Brenneman, K.; Clements, D.H.; Duschl, R.A.; Fleer, M.; Greenfield, D.; Hadani, H.; Romance, N.; Sarama, J.; et al. The Importance of Early STEM Education. In Handbook of Research on STEM Education, 1st ed.; Johnson, C.C., Mohr-schroeder, M.J., Moore, T.J., Lyn, D., Eds.; Routledge: New York, NY, USA, 2020; pp. 87–100. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Roehrig, G.H.; Dare, E.A.; Ring-Whalen, E.A.; Wieselmann, J.R. Understanding coherence and integration in integrated STEM curriculum. Int. J. STEM Educ. 2021, 8, 1–21. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Ata Aktürk, A.; Demircan, O. A Review of Studies on STEM and STEAM Education in Early Childhood. J. Kırşehir Educ. Fac. 2017, 18, 757–776. [Google Scholar]
- Yücelyigit, S.; Toker, Z. A meta-analysis on STEM studies in early childhood education. Turk. J. Educ. 2021, 10, 23–36. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Liberati, A.; Altman, D.G.; Tetzlaff, J.; Mulrow, C.; Gotzsche, P.C.; Ioannidis, J.P.; Clarke, M.; Devereaux, P.J.; Kleijnen, J.; Moher, D. The PRISMA statement for reporting systematic reviews and meta-analyses of studies that evaluate health care interventions: Explanation and elaboration. PLoS Med. 2009, 6, e1000100. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Ata-Aktürk, A.; Demircan, H.Ö. Supporting Preschool Children’s STEM Learning with Parent-Involved Early Engineering Education. Early Child. Educ. J. 2021, 49, 607–621. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Thomas, J.; Utley, J.; Hong, S.-Y.; Korkmaz, H.; Nugent, G. Parent Involvement and Its Influence on Children’s STEM Learning. In Handbook of Research on STEM Education, 1st ed.; Johnson, C.C., Mohr-schroeder, M.J., Moore, T.J., Lyn, D., Eds.; Routledge: New York, NY, USA, 2020; pp. 323–333. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Ulutaş, A.; Kanak, M. Effect of the cooperative learning with family involvement-based science education on the scientific process skills of 5-6-year-old children. NeuroQuantology 2018, 16, 20–29. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Ginsburg, H.P.; Golbeck, S.L. Thoughts on the future of research on mathematics and science learning and education. Early Child. Res. Q. 2004, 19, 190–200. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Strickler-Eppard, L.; Czerniak, C.M.; Kaderavek, J. Families’ Capacity to Engage in Science Inquiry at Home Through Structured Activities. Early Child. Educ. J. 2019, 47, 653–664. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Raynal, A.; Lavigne, H.; Goldstein, M.; Gutierrez, J. Starting with Parents: Investigating a Multi-Generational, Media-Enhanced Approach to Support Informal Science Learning for Young Children. Early Child. Educ. J. 2021. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Tippett, C.D.; Milford, T.M. Findings from a Pre-kindergarten Classroom: Making the Case for STEM in Early Childhood Education. Int. J. Sci. Math. Educ. 2017, 15, 67–86. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Tay, J.; Salazar, A.; Lee, H. Parental Perceptions of STEM Enrichment for Young Children. J. Educ. Gift. 2018, 41, 5–23. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
- Gilligan, T.; Lovett, J.; McLoughlin, E.; Murphy, C.; Finlayson, O.; Corriveau, K.; McNally, S. We practise every day: Parents’ attitudes towards early science learning and education among a sample of urban families in Ireland. Eur. Early Child. Educ. Res. J. 2020, 28, 898–910. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Pattison, S.A.; Dierking, L.D. Early childhood science interest development: Variation in interest patterns and parent–child interactions among low-income families. Sci. Educ. 2019, 103, 362–388. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Ünlü Çetin, Ş. Parent Involvement in Early Childhood STEM Education. In Key Points for STEM in Early Childhood Education and Involving Parents: A Guidebook for Early Childhood Educators, 1st ed.; Ünlü Çetin, Ş., Bilican, K., Üçgül, M., Eds.; Kirikkale Universıty: Kirikkale, Turkey, 2020; pp. 54–60. [Google Scholar]
- Ampartzaki, M.; Kalogiannakis, M.; Papadakis, S. Deepening Our Knowledge about Sustainability Education in the Early Years: Lessons from a Water Project. Educ. Sci. 2021, 11, 251. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Council of Economic Advisers (US). The economics of early childhood investments. 2014. Available online: http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/docs/early_childhood_report1.pdf (accessed on 15 July 2021).
N° | Authors | Year | Journal or Book | Country | Discipline (S-T-E-M) | Type of Study (Emp-Theo) | Methodology (Ql, Qt, Mx) | Sample (Tch, P, Ch) | Context | Focus |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | * Ata-Aktürk, & Demircan [33] | 2021 | Early Childhood Education Journal (A) | Turkey | E | Emp | Qi | 2 Tch 5 P 5 Ch (5–6 years old) | Classroom | Test curriculum with emphasis on engineering |
2 | * Thomas et al. [34] | 2020 | Handbook of Research on STEM Education (BC) | United States; Turkey | S T E M | Theo | Literature review | |||
3 | * Ulutaş & Kanak [35] | 2018 | NeuroQuantology (A) | Turkey | S | Emp | Qt | 60 P 60 Ch (5–6 years old) | Investigate the impact of the parent–child science education program on basic process skills | |
4 | * Ginsburg & Golbeck [36] | 2004 | Early Childhood Research Quarterly (A) | United States | SM | Theo | Reflect on directions of early teaching of mathematics and science | |||
5 | ** Strickler-Eppard, Czerniak & Kaderavek [37] | 2019 | Early Childhood Education Journal (A) | United States | S E | Emp | Mx | 5 P 5 Ch (4–8 years old) | Home | Describe how families utilize science activity packs at home |
6 | ** Raynal et al. [38] | 2021 | Early Childhood Education Journal (A) | United States | S | Emp | Qt | 88 P82 Ch (4–8 years old) | Workshop for parents, home | Explore a model designed to support family science |
7 | ** Tippett & Milford [39] | 2017 | International Journal of Science and Mathematics Education (A) | Canada | S E M | Emp | Mx | 2 Tch 11 P 14 Ch (4–5 years old) | Classroom | Evaluate STEM activities in the preschool classroom considering the parental perception |
8 | ** Tay, Salazar & Lee [40] | 2018 | Journal for the Education of the Gifted (A) | United States | S T E M | Emp | Qi | 55 P (parents of PK-K children) | Saturday STEM enrichment program for children | Know parents’ perceptions of the influence of STEM programs on preschoolers and their attitudes toward STEM |
9 | ** Gilligan et al. [41] | 2020 | European Early Childhood Education Research Journal (A) | Ireland; United States | S | Emp | Qt | 85 P (parents of children from 4–8 years old) | Workshop for parents | Evaluate parents’ attitude towards science |
10 | ** Pattison & Dierking [42] | 2019 | Science Education (A) | United States | S | Emp | Qi | 7 P 7 Ch (4 years old) | Head Start Program | Understand the development of interest in science in children from underserved communities |
11 | ** Ünlü-Çetin, 2020 [43] | 2020 | Key points for early childhood STEM education and involving parents (BC) | Turkey | Theo | Promote parental involvement in STEM (First deliverable ParentSTEM project) |
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. |
© 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Share and Cite
Salvatierra, L.; Cabello, V.M. Starting at Home: What Does the Literature Indicate about Parental Involvement in Early Childhood STEM Education? Educ. Sci. 2022, 12, 218. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci12030218
Salvatierra L, Cabello VM. Starting at Home: What Does the Literature Indicate about Parental Involvement in Early Childhood STEM Education? Education Sciences. 2022; 12(3):218. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci12030218
Chicago/Turabian StyleSalvatierra, Loreto, and Valeria M. Cabello. 2022. "Starting at Home: What Does the Literature Indicate about Parental Involvement in Early Childhood STEM Education?" Education Sciences 12, no. 3: 218. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci12030218
APA StyleSalvatierra, L., & Cabello, V. M. (2022). Starting at Home: What Does the Literature Indicate about Parental Involvement in Early Childhood STEM Education? Education Sciences, 12(3), 218. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci12030218