METHODOLOGY FOR DEVELOPING RESEARCH SKILLS IN PRESCHOOL CHILDREN BASED ON STEAM TECHNOLOGY

This article presents a methodology for developing research skills in preschool children through the integration of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) approaches. Research skills, including curiosity, observation, questioning, prediction, experimentation, and reflection, are foundational to lifelong learning, yet they are often underdeveloped in early childhood education because of fragmented curricula and limited inquiry-based practice. The study draws on constructivist and sociocultural theories of learning and on international frameworks for integrated STEM education. The proposed methodology consists of four sequential stages: stimulating curiosity, guided exploration, collaborative investigation, and reflective presentation. Each stage is linked to specific STEAM activities and to observable indicators of research competence. A three-level assessment framework is also described for monitoring children's progress. The methodology is intended for preschool educators, methodologists, and teacher-training specialists, and it offers a structured pathway for transforming everyday play into systematic inquiry.