Affinity introduces STEAM program across Papilio centres in NSW

A new program of introductory lessons in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics, known as STEAM, has commenced at Affinity’s Papilio Early Learning centres in New South Wales.

The program is being targeted at three to five year old preschoolers and is aimed to explore topics that will encourage learning, engagement, enquiry and critical thinking with the curriculum complementing the existing play based learning program in place at Affinity centres. 

Commenting on the initiative, Dr Lesley Jones, Head Advisor of Pedagogy and Practice at Affinity, said “Children’s minds are at such a critical stage of development at this preschool age…we want these children to learn, and grow a klive of the learning in the process. To do this we are promoting exciting and interactive learning activities so children can be engaged explorers.”  

Dr Jones joined Affinity in October 2019 in the newly created role with a range of responsibilities including but not limited to focussing on educational leader development and best practice support in the pedagogy and practice space. 

STEAM and STEM (STEAM without the Arts piece) has become an increasingly popular complement to play-based learning programs in recent years with a number of organisations opting to develop in house programs like Affinity and others electing to partner with organisations like Little Scientists or Robokids that specialise in enquiry based learning teaching modules.