Supporting Early Childhood Preservice Teachers to Effectively Integrate STEM in Their Future Teaching Practice

It is critical that teachers are equipped with Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) skills and knowledge as we move into a digital future. By integrating STEM into early childhood education, we can provide young children with invaluable opportunities to build their scientific knowledge from the very start, setting them up for success in their later STEM educational journeys. However, many educators within early childhood settings find it challenging to create engaging STEM-based activities for young children. Unfortunately, there is a scarcity of information on how teacher educators can support preservice teachers in developing their STEM competence. This study examined the perspectives of early childhood preservice teachers (PSTs) regarding their confidence and pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) in integrating STEM into their teaching practice. Utilising a qualitative multi-case study approach, semi-structured interviews with 11 PSTs and a document analysis of their assignment tasks and teaching artefacts were conducted to deepen our understanding of PCK skills. Data were analysed using Bryman's thematic analysis, revealing key themes through a narrative analysis of PSTs' responses. Several crucial themes emerged, with PSTs acknowledging that embedding STEM content into both theoretical classwork and practical placement significantly enhanced their content knowledge and confidence when teaching STEM in early childhood settings. It is essential for future research to explore and expand university-preschool partnerships to create immersive STEM experiences that benefit preservice teachers and future in-service teachers in this field.