Abstract:

The traditional approach to education of children of early and preschool age has focused on the development of different skills and knowledge acquisition while science, technology, engineering, and mathematics as constituents of STEM areas were neglected. Content from the STEM areas was considered difficult and unacceptable for children before enrolling at school. However, the modern approach of educators and the transformation of the image of a child enabled STEM topics to become a part of the curriculum of early and preschool institutions for education. The importance of implementing the STEM area is manifested in the fact that humanity is functioning on and oriented towards new knowledge. By fulfilling the conditions for STEM learning from an early age, children's curiosity is encouraged as well as preparation for the challenges of the modern world while supporting their learning. Precisely, the new modern forms of learning are adapted to children generation Z who have been associated with technology since birth. Implementing activities from STEM area helps children develop speech, communication competencies as well as critical thinking skills and problem solving. By doing this, individuality, or in other words, independence is encouraged, as well as teamwork focused on cooperative learning. This approach creates predispositions for development of a child focused on academic success. STEM motivates children to desire acquiring new knowledge in an innovative and interesting way. For the purpose of this paper, a study was conducted in one groups of children from 3 to 6 years. The aim of the research was to get children’s perspective on STEM areas, focusing on technology and the use of Bee-Bot floor computer. Digital competence is one of the competences prescribed by the National Curriculum for Early and Preschool Curriculum in the Republic Croatia and thus becomes an obligation for educators to develop it in children of early and preschool age. Bee-Bot has all the necessary predispositions which will motivate the child to adopt computer thinking or defining algorithmic solutions to problems. The research findings suggest that the inclusion of Bee-Bot in daily activities increases the interest in new knowledge and acquiring new skills. Connecting Bee-Bot with content related to natural environment contributes to development of the child’s perception of digital technology as an element which complements and enriches everyday life which takes place outdoors in the natural environment as the most natural space for human living. Accordingly, it is important to work systematically to raise children's awareness of the function of digital technologies as a tool which facilitates and improves the quality of life.

Keywords:

Algorithms, Bee-Bot, critical thinking, coding, digital competence, technology, natural environment.