Dr. Borislava Ivanova, Assist. Prof.
St. Cyril and St. Methodius University of Veliko Tarnovo (Bulgaria)
https://doi.org/10.53656/ped2024-7.07
Abstract. The article considers the need to apply innovative educational models in modern education. A brief scientific review is made of the emergence of the STEM/STEAM education, the latter currently being one of the priority approaches for application in educational policies around the world. The basic integrating factor for the STEM and STEAM education is games. Through games, children apply their real-life experience, and they favour their overall cognitive development. Game technologies for STEM/STEAM education in kindergartens are aimed at developing the skills of modern children for critical and creative thinking, design and coding, communication and interest in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. The connection between the traditions and innovations of the more-than-a-century-old tradition of preschool pedagogy in Bulgaria is emphasized.
Keywords: game technologies, STEM, STEAM, kindergarten, early childhood
