Early Childhood STEM Learning Through the ArtsWolf Trap is leading the way in early childhood arts learning to help achieve national STEM education goals.

Bridging Two National Priorities:
STEM and Early Childhood Education

Across the country, lawmakers, educators, and business leaders are working together to strengthen Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education. Out of 30 developed countries, U.S. students ranked 21st in science literacy and 25th in math literacy according to the most recent Program for International Student Assessment. Raising the performance of our students is a national priority.

STEM education must start in the earliest years at the time that children’s interests, desires, and abilities are formed. This important beginning leads to students' success and choices in elementary through high school math and science. Wolf Trap is taking a national leadership role in bridging these two education priorities by infusing the creativity of high quality arts education into early childhood STEM learning.

The Arts Make the Difference

Research shows that the arts support crucial developmental skills in creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and communication. Wolf Trap is a proven leader in both integrating arts-based learning strategies that enhance the early childhood curriculum and providing engaging, effective professional development for early childhood educators.

Wolf Trap Early Childhood Education STEM Learning Through the Arts

Wolf Trap Foundation launched an innovative Early Childhood STEM Learning Through the Arts initiative that builds upon its 30-year history developing and delivering early childhood arts education programs. The US Department of Education has awarded Wolf Trap a 4-year, $1.15 million grant under the Arts Education Model Documentation and Dissemination Grant Program. Wolf Trap Education is partnering with Fairfax County Public Schools and the American Institute for Research to develop, evaluate, and disseminate arts-based STEM teaching strategies for pre-K and Kindergarten. Yielding research-based content and model programs that can be expanded and replicated throughout the Wolf Trap Institute’s national network of regional partners, this project will have a profound impact toward achieving STEM-related education goals for young children.

Wolf Trap Teaching Artists began working side-by-side with early childhood educators in Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia classrooms during the 2009-10 school year to integrate performing arts-based strategies into classroom instruction to support children’s math learning. Wolf Trap is also conducting professional development workshops for early childhood professionals at the Center for Education at Wolf Trap, in the local community; our Regional Programs, at conferences and through national partnerships.

Video: Early Childhood Arts Drive STEM Learning

Teaching Artists work side-by-side with early childhood educators to enhance learning in classrooms across the country. At a recent Summer Institute at the Center for Education at Wolf Trap, Teaching Artists build upon strategies that integrate the arts for enhanced math learning.

Media Coverage

New America Foundation, Early Ed Watch blog, “Helping Teachers Integrate Math, Science and the Performing Arts,” October 25, 2010
WAMU 88.5, Metro Connection, “Dance, Music and Visual Arts: Arts Integration,” October 15, 2010
The Prosperity blog, “Arts and STEM,” September 16, 2010
Education Week Early Years blog, “Wolf Trap Trifecta: Early Childhood, Arts, and STEM,” September 15, 2010

Links to additional information:

Early Childhood STEM Learning Through the Arts - Grant Abstract 
Press Release
Arts Education Partnership website
Arts Education Partnership - Arts in Education Week
White House Announces STEM Education Initiative
CNN.com article: US Students behind in math, science
STEM Early Learning Through the Arts Reference Books
STEM Early Learning Through the Arts Children’s Literature