Improving the Critical Thinking Skills of Early Childhood Through the Application of the STEAM Method with Loose Parts in the Independent Curriculum

Abstract

This study aims to identify factors that influence the improvement of critical thinking skills of early childhood through the application of the STEAM method with Loose Parts in the context of the Independent Curriculum. This study uses a qualitative method with a literature review approach and thematic analysis to explore these factors. This research shows that critical thinking skills in early childhood are influenced by three main groups of factors, namely internal, external factors and learning approaches. These factors influence each other, where motivation and support from teachers increase children's involvement in the learning process, while the availability of resources enriches learning. Thus, improving early childhood critical thinking skills requires a holistic approach that takes into account the internal factors of the child as well as the role of the teacher and the learning environment. The supporting curriculum is the flexibility of the independent curriculum and integration with thematic learning. This research provides an overview of how these factors contribute to the effectiveness of applying the STEAM method with Loose Parts in improving early childhood critical thinking skills in the context of the Independent Curriculum.