INSTEAD OF AN INTRODUCTION: STREAM AS LIFE AN INTEGRATED APPROACH TO INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN USING SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, READING, ENGINEERING, ARTS, AND MATH IN EARLY LEARNING

STREAM is a method of instruction that allows Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts, and Math to be taught using an integrated approach rather than teaching individual subjects in isolation (Mariana & Kristanto, 2003; Nuangchalerm et al. 2020). Subjects taught in isolation focus on mastery of individual skill sets rather than focusing on the intersectionality of content and its application to real-life scenarios that fit the ever-changing and rapidly evolving environments in which they live. This is especially true for very young learners. To this end, reading and writing skills are emphasized within the STREAM-based approach (Sun & Zhong, 2024). While reading solidifies a student’s knowledge base and supports their knowledge acquisition, writing allows students to process and authentically communicate their learning (Nuangchalerm et al., 2020; Suteu et al., 2024; Sun & Zhong, 2024).