Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024
At United Way of the Columbia-Willamette, we’re committed to ensuring that every child in our community has the opportunity to succeed. A key part of that mission is supporting early childhood educators, who play a critical role in shaping the futures of young learners. Recently, our Early Learning Washington County (ELWC) HUB took an exciting step forward by hosting its first-ever Coding & Robotics Training designed specifically for Spanish-speaking preschool educators. By focusing on bilingual educators, we’re addressing the needs of diverse communities, ensuring that all children can engage with STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) learning from an early age.
This innovative training was more than just a workshop; it was a movement toward inclusivity and empowerment. By equipping educators with the tools and confidence to introduce coding and robotics to children as young as three, we’re opening the door to a world of possibilities. Imagine preschoolers exploring their creativity and problem-solving skills through hands-on activities with robots—skills that will serve them for a lifetime!
Hands-on Learning with Robots
The training provided an opportunity for educators to dive into hands-on activities using educational robotics kits, all while keeping technology approachable for young children. Hands-on learning is a vital component of early childhood education, particularly for preschool-aged children who thrive on active exploration and sensory experiences. This training provided educators with a unique opportunity to engage in hands-on activities using two different types robotics kits, helping them learn ways of making technology accessible and enjoyable for young learners. One participant, Aras Dezay, reflected on how foundational these lessons can be for young minds.
"Everything around us is a form of programming," Aras shared, "from the moment we wake up and wash our hands, to the way a swing in the park works—it’s all technology."
This perspective shifts the way educators think about teaching. By focusing on the basics of robotics without relying on screens, ELWC is promoting computational thinking through physical movement and storytelling. The idea is simple: teach young children to recognize patterns, navigate mazes, and think critically—all while having fun.
Everything around us is a form of programming. From the moment we wake up and wash our hands, to the way a swing in the park works—it’s all technology.
Aras Dezay, Co-Founder of the Iraqi Arabic School and attendee
A Playful Introduction to Coding
One of the trainers at the event emphasized the importance of letting children learn through discovery, highlighting the benefits of the Indy Car robot used in the training, which reacts to color-based commands.
"Children learn by doing," this educator explained. "We didn’t tell them what each color on the mat does. Instead, we let them experiment and figure it out themselves. The trial and error process is a fantastic way for children to explore and learn."
This method taps into the natural curiosity of young children, encouraging them to take control of their learning while having fun with robots that move, turn, and even navigate mazes based on their instructions.
This trainer also pointed out that early exposure to coding is critical for building a foundation in STEM. “Knowledge is built on previous knowledge,” she said. “Starting children with these concepts at such a young age gives them the tools they’ll need for the future, where everything will involve programming in some way.”
Breaking Barriers with STEM Curiosity Kits
Understanding that access to resources can be a challenge, ELWC provided all participants with STEM CURIOSITY KITS: My First Robots. These kits are designed to empower educators to teach coding and robotics in their classrooms without the burden of expensive technology, ensuring that every child, regardless of their background, can engage in meaningful STEM activities.
The kits also support social-emotional learning, as children work together to solve problems and celebrate each other’s successes. The simple act of programming a small robot to move forward or turn left becomes a lesson in teamwork and perseverance.
"Children won’t make fun of each other when they make mistakes," Aras said. "They help each other, and that’s where the real learning happens."
You can program a robot to move through the life cycle of a plant. Or you can have it spell out letters or identify shapes and colors. It’s a versatile tool that makes learning engaging and fun.
Luis Nava, trainer at the event
Integrating STEM Across Subjects
One of the most exciting aspects of the training was seeing how robotics and coding could be integrated across various subjects. One of the trainers explained how these tools could be used to teach science, math, and even language.
"You can program a robot to move through the life cycle of a plant," she said. "Or you can have it spell out letters or identify shapes and colors. It’s a versatile tool that makes learning engaging and fun."
She shared her excitement about the possibilities, especially as children grow older and are able to handle more complex programming tools like the Indy cars, which respond to color cues.
“The Bee Bot is simpler for the younger ones, but as they get older, they can move to more intentional tools like the Indy Car,” she noted. “It’s all about planning and sequencing, which are foundational skills in coding.”
Looking Ahead: A Bright Future for Early Learners
The success of this inaugural training has sparked enthusiasm for more. Aras and other educators left the training eager to bring coding into their classrooms—and even beyond, with hopes of expanding the program across the region.
"We can do four sessions," Aras suggested. "The first for parents to understand the importance of coding, the second for children to learn the basics, and by the end, we’ll be creating whole cities with these robots!"
This vision of expanding the program highlights its potential to nurture key areas of growth in young learners, including critical thinking, communication, and teamwork. Moreover, it addresses the urgent need to reduce the BIPOC gap in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) fields. By introducing coding and robotics at an early age, we can inspire diverse students and ignite their interest in these disciplines.
Join Us in Supporting Early Learning
This training is just one example of how United Way of the Columbia-Willamette is working to create opportunities for every child. We invite our partners, donors, and community members to continue supporting this critical work. Together, we can ensure that all children have the skills they need to succeed—both in school and in life.
To learn more about our Early Learning Washington County initiatives and how you can get involved, visit our website and follow our journey. Let's empower the next generation of innovators and problem-solvers! By sharing this story, we aim to keep our partners and donors informed about the impactful work being done, and we encourage you to spread the word. Stay tuned for more exciting updates from ELWC as we continue to innovate in early childhood education.