Daycare STEM & Math Activities Guide 2026: Early Learning Foundations

STEM education—science, technology, engineering, and math—begins long before formal schooling. Quality daycare programs build early STEM foundations through play, exploration, and hands-on experiences. Understanding what developmentally appropriate STEM looks like helps you evaluate programs and support your child's learning.

This guide covers everything about STEM and math at daycare in 2026: what early STEM includes, quality program indicators, age-appropriate expectations, and supporting STEM learning at home.

Table of Contents

• What Is Early STEM
• Early Math Skills
• Science in Daycare
• Engineering and Building
• Technology Considerations
• Quality STEM Programs
• Questions to Ask

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What Is Early STEM

Building foundations naturally.

STEM for Young Children

Not worksheets—exploration:

• Hands-on experiences
• Play-based learning
• Natural curiosity
• Real-world connections
• Process over product
• Integrated learning

The Components

STEM stands for: | Letter | Focus | In Daycare | |--------|-------|-----------| | S - Science | Observing, questioning | Nature exploration, experiments | | T - Technology | Tools, problem-solving | Simple machines, tools | | E - Engineering | Building, designing | Blocks, construction | | M - Math | Numbers, patterns | Counting, sorting, shapes |

Why It Matters

Early STEM builds:

• Critical thinking
• Problem-solving skills
• Curiosity and wonder
• Mathematical foundations
• Scientific thinking
• Creativity

Natural Learning

STEM happens through:

• Block play
• Water and sand
• Outdoor exploration
• Cooking activities
• Dramatic play
• Everyday routines

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Early Math Skills

The building blocks.

Number Sense

Includes:

• Counting (rote and meaningful)
• Understanding quantities
• Recognizing numerals
• Comparing amounts
• One-to-one correspondence
• Subitizing (knowing quantities without counting)

Patterns and Relationships

Children learn:

• Recognizing patterns
• Creating patterns
• Predicting what comes next
• Sorting and classifying
• Comparing (bigger, smaller)
• Sequencing

Shapes and Spatial Awareness

Understanding:

• Shape recognition
• Shape properties
• Position words (under, over)
• Spatial relationships
• Building and constructing
• Maps and directions

Measurement Concepts

Early experiences with:

• Comparing sizes
• Using non-standard units
• Understanding time concepts
• Weight and balance
• Volume and capacity
• Temperature concepts

Math by Age

Typical progression: | Age | Skills | |-----|--------| | Infants | Object permanence, cause/effect | | Toddlers | Counting 1-10, basic shapes, sorting | | 3-year-olds | Counting to 20, patterns, comparisons | | 4-5 years | Number recognition, simple operations |

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Science in Daycare

Fostering curiosity.

Scientific Thinking

Children develop:

• Observation skills
• Questioning
• Predicting
• Experimenting
• Drawing conclusions
• Wonder and curiosity

Life Science

Exploration of:

• Plants and growing
• Animals and insects
• Human body
• Living vs. non-living
• Life cycles
• Habitats

Physical Science

Experiences with:

• Magnets
• Light and shadows
• Sound
• Motion and force
• Sinking and floating
• Simple machines

Earth Science

Understanding:

• Weather observation
• Seasons
• Rocks and soil
• Water cycle (basic)
• Day and night
• Nature exploration

Science Practices

Quality programs:

• Ask open-ended questions
• Encourage predictions
• Document observations
• Allow experimentation
• Accept "wrong" answers
• Celebrate discovery

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Engineering and Building

Design and construction.

Engineering Thinking

Children develop:

• Problem identification
• Design thinking
• Planning and building
• Testing and revising
• Persistence
• Creative solutions

Block Play

The foundation:

• Unit blocks
• Large blocks
• Cardboard boxes
• Magnetic tiles
• LEGO/Duplo
• Natural materials

Construction Activities

Quality programs offer:

• Open-ended building materials
• Adequate time for construction
• Space for large structures
• Photographing creations
• Building challenges
• Real-world connections

Engineering Challenges

Age-appropriate:

• Build a tower
• Create a bridge
• Make a ramp
• Design a structure
• Solve a problem
• Build something specific

The Engineering Process

Even young children:

1. Identify a problem
2. Think of ideas
3. Plan and build
4. Test it out
5. Improve or rebuild

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Technology Considerations

Tools, not just screens.

Technology Beyond Screens

Includes:

• Simple machines
• Tools (scissors, rulers)
• Cameras
• Magnifying glasses
• Scales and balances
• Pulleys and levers

Screen Technology

If used, should be:

• Very limited (if at all)
• Interactive, not passive
• Educational quality
• Co-viewing with adults
• Age-appropriate
• Not replacing active play

Hands-On Tools

Quality programs use:

• Real tools (supervised)
• Scientific instruments
• Measuring tools
• Building tools
• Documentation tools
• Simple machines

NAEYC Position

On technology:

• Intentional use only
• Active engagement
• Supplements, not replaces
• Age-appropriate content
• With adult interaction
• Limited screen time

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Quality STEM Programs

What to look for.

Environment

STEM-rich spaces have:

• Math materials accessible
• Science exploration center
• Building/construction area
• Nature materials
• Books about STEM topics
• Documentation of learning

Materials

Look for: | Category | Examples | |----------|----------| | Math | Counters, scales, measuring tools | | Science | Magnifying glasses, nature items | | Building | Blocks, construction sets | | Exploration | Sensory materials, loose parts |

Teacher Practices

Quality teachers:

• Ask "what if" questions
• Encourage exploration
• Document discoveries
• Use math language naturally
• Support problem-solving
• Connect to real world

Integrated Learning

STEM woven throughout:

• Cooking as math and science
• Outdoor play as exploration
• Art as engineering
• Stories with STEM connections
• Everyday routines as learning

What NOT to See

Red flags:

• Worksheets for math
• No science materials
• Limited block/building time
• Rote counting only
• No exploration encouraged
• Screen-based "STEM"

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Supporting STEM at Home

Extending learning.

Math at Home

Daily opportunities:

• Counting everything
• Sorting laundry
• Cooking together
• Setting the table
• Measuring during play
• Number games

Science at Home

Explore together:

• Nature walks
• Watching weather
• Growing plants
• Simple experiments
• Animal observation
• Asking questions

Building at Home

Provide:

• Blocks and building toys
• Cardboard boxes
• Recycled materials
• Time to build
• Space for construction
• Challenges to solve

STEM Talk

Use language like:

• "How many?"
• "What do you notice?"
• "What if we...?"
• "How could we...?"
• "Why do you think...?"
• "Let's find out!"

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Questions to Ask

About STEM Approach

1. "How do you incorporate STEM learning?"
2. "What math activities do children do?"
3. "How do you support science exploration?"
4. "Is there a building/construction area?"
5. "How do teachers support STEM thinking?"

About Materials

1. "What math manipulatives are available?"
2. "Is there a science/discovery area?"
3. "What building materials do children use?"
4. "Are there real tools for children to use?"
5. "How much block/building time is there?"

About Practice

1. "How do teachers ask questions about STEM?"
2. "Do you do experiments or science activities?"
3. "How is STEM integrated into the day?"
4. "What technology do children use?"
5. "How do you document STEM learning?"

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STEM Quality Checklist

Environment

• [ ] Math materials accessible
• [ ] Science/discovery area
• [ ] Building/construction space
• [ ] Nature materials available
• [ ] STEM books in library
• [ ] Documentation visible

Materials

• [ ] Counting/sorting materials
• [ ] Measuring tools
• [ ] Magnifying glasses
• [ ] Variety of blocks
• [ ] Construction sets
• [ ] Loose parts for building

Teacher Practice

• [ ] Uses math language naturally
• [ ] Asks open-ended questions
• [ ] Encourages exploration
• [ ] Supports problem-solving
• [ ] Documents discoveries
• [ ] Connects to real world

Approach

• [ ] Play-based learning
• [ ] Hands-on experiences
• [ ] Process over product
• [ ] Integration throughout day
• [ ] Minimal/no worksheets
• [ ] Active, not passive

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STEM by Age

Infants

Focus on:

• Cause and effect
• Object permanence
• Sensory exploration
• Simple problem-solving
• Spatial awareness (in, out)

Toddlers

Experiences include:

• Counting songs
• Simple sorting
• Building and knocking down
• Water and sand exploration
• Nature discovery
• Basic shapes

Preschoolers

Skills developing:

• Counting with meaning
• Pattern creation
• Scientific questioning
• Complex building
• Problem-solving challenges
• Measurement concepts

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Resources

• Find Quality Daycare Near You
• Daycare Art Projects Guide
• Daycare Literacy & Early Reading Guide
• Choosing Daycare Curriculum Guide

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Last updated: December 2025