Every craft is designed by Teacher Erica, who’s spent 6 years specializing in toddler enrichment and learning-through-play.
S.T.E.A.M.
S.T.E.A.M. stands for science, tools/ technology, engineering, arts and math. Keep reading to learn why S.T.E.A.M. based activities are so important and how they are integrated into these classes.
Science
These classes meet children where they are developmentally. We support our budding scientists by working with texture, comparing craft supplies, and sorting materials.
Understanding textures beyond “feels good” and “feels bad” is just one more way of deepening a child’s understanding of objects in the world. When comparing supplies in crafts, some words we commonly use are, stretchier, thinner, longer, or fluffier. Both of these methods are commonly used by scientists to understand what they study.
For example, a biologist using the texture of a leaf to help identify the plant it came from, comparing mouse tail lengths to hypothesize which will be better at certain tasks, or note the elasticity of a trees branches to know which kind of conditions it’s grown to survive.
Tools
The T in S.T.E.A.M. typically stands for “technology,” but Steam Engines Learning Co. chooses not to include technology in these art lesson plans, allowing parents to use screen time as a tool at home without the worry of overuse.
Steam Engines Learning Co. uses “tools” in place of “technology.” Around 24-30 months old, according to findings by the American Association of Pediatrics, is when children begin using tools to solve a problem or complete a task (such as using a stool to reach something, or using a spoon to feed themselves). We use tools such as eyedroppers and tongs, in order to complement and help fine-tune these new skills.
Engineering
In class, we often create images out of basic shapes, which helps young children recognize that everything is made of smaller parts. This basic idea will be crucial in your little one’s future engineering endeavors! For example, knowing now that our rocket ship crafts need a rectangle, a circle, and some triangles in order to look like a rocket ship, will help them understand later that a functioning model plane needs a motor, propellors, and wings.
A project based around this concept will start with children being shown an example of what we’ll be making, and asked to point out the shapes they see. Next, they’ll get glue, some pre-cut shapes, and a piece of construction paper to glue the shapes down to. Explaining to children where each shape goes to make a particular image also supports their ability to understand spatial relationships between objects.
Art
The A stands for art! It’s a method for getting the S.T.E.M. concepts into little-guys’ little brains- and a great one at that. It’s said that children who are actively engaged in what they’re learning (rather than only hearing or reading about it) have an easier time understanding and remembering the concepts.
Math
Math is included in Steam Engines Learning Co.’s lesson plans through the use of patterns, symmetry, quantity, and spatial relations.
According to this article by The Education Hub, a child’s understanding of symmetry and patters in their early years can affect their math abilities later in life- up to 11-years-old. In class, we might paint a half of a shape and fold it over the unpainted half to make both sides match, decorate an animal with stripes, or make a flower whose petals alternate in shape or color.
A child’s geometry abilities are said to be enhanced by a thorough understanding of spatial relations. In class, we support this by being sure to use words such as “above,” “below,” and “beside,” instead of pointing or using vague words like “here” and “there.” Your little one will also be making geometric transformations by flipping and turning their craft pieces to match the example
Teacher Erica
Teacher Erica has six years of experience working in children’s enrichment, and has taught classes for newborns through twelve-year-olds. She began teaching babies and toddlers at the same play space that she visited as a child, where an amazing group of experienced art, music, gym, SpEd, and reading teachers taught her about early childhood education. This is where she learned that while these activities are fun for children and their families, they’re an incredibly important part of a child’s physical and mental development. Since then, her passion for teaching recreational classes has only grown deeper, as she’s seen the positive effect these classes have on children, families, and communities. If you want to see these positive effects, too, visit the Sign Up page.
Class
Classes are 40 minutes long, and begin with simple coloring for the first 10 minutes. This gives little ones some time to warm up to the new environment and new faces around them. Next, we work on our fist craft of the day and learn the S.T.E.A.M. principle it focuses on. Then, we’ll take a story time “brain break,” where children can hear a story with the option to color while they listen. After that we complete our second craft and, as children are ready to leave, they get a fun purple stamp on their hands.
All classes at a park take place outdoors in the grass. Some families bring blankets, towels, or folding chairs (chairs are recommended if you’re bringing a grandparent, or anyone with mobility issues). Steam Engines Learning Co brings a sheet for families to sit on together, if they choose. The sheet is often sprayed with a light mist of bug spray to keep bugs away while we work, and families are encouraged to bring their own spray and sunscreen. Please be aware that most parks don’t have a bathroom open at the time of our art classes.
F.A.Q.
Do I have to sign up for class ahead of time, or can we drop-in?
Drop-ins aren’t welcome. In order to ensure that we’re prepared for each child attending the 4 to 6 classes taught each day, we need an accurate headcount before the start of class. This policy also helps prevent kiddos from being turned away from a class that’s too full to accommodate any more. Your little one’s spot in class can’t be held without payment.
How much does class cost?
Classes cost between $10-20 depending on the venue and the day of the week. Costs are shown with each class option on the Sign Up page, while a more detailed breakdown of pricing is shown on the Pricing and Schedule page. Tickets to special events may cost more than $20
My child isn’t quite 2.5 years old yet. Can I still bring her to this class?
Absolutely! While your child might not grasp the S.T.E.A.M. aspects of our craft, they’ll still get all the fun of putting it together and the social-emotional benefits of a structured activity with other kids.
My child is older than 5, but loves to craft. Is he welcome to join?
Definitely! Children as old as twelve have joined in on these classes and loved them just as much as the little ones. Keep in mind that older kids usually finish the projects quicker than the rest of the class, so may have some downtime. Coloring sheets are offered to keep them engaged while waiting for the next part of our lesson.
Can we leave projects with you while glue/ paint dries and take them home next week?
That’s not feasible, as this is a travelling art class with up to 5 classes every day. In order to more easily bring your child’s crafts home, Steam Engines Learning Co recommends placing projects in your child’s stroller on the walk home. Another solution is to bring a clipboard or an empty cereal box to support art projects from the bottom while they’re being walked home.
Are children on the neurodivergence spectrum welcome to join?
Yes! While Tr. Erica doesn’t have any formal training in teaching children with special needs (yet,) we trust that the grown-up accompanying your child will let us know what can be done during class to fit the structure and environment to their needs. Unfortunately, many outdoor classes might not be a good fit for children who have a tendency to run off, so please consider scoping out the location before signing your little one up for class
My child has mobility issues. Is this class a good fit?
That depends on what your child struggles with and which class you’re planning to attend. Unfortunately, both indoor classes are on the second floor of buildings that have no elevator or ramp access. We always try setting outdoor classes up in the grass right next to pavement, for attendees who struggle with walking on uneven surfaces.
We often use squeeze bottles of wet glue, which can be difficult for children with a weaker grasp. Solutions for this are a hand-over-hand method, where the child guides the bottle while the adult squeezes it, or using a paintbrush/ cotton swab to spread the glue instead.
Reach out to Steam Engines Learning Co at least a day before class with questions or to let Tr. Erica know she’ll need to make these modifications. Tr. Erica is also happy to work out a game plan with you to ensure that you and your little one can enjoy the class just as much as everyone else! Reach out via email, call, text, or Instagram message.
How many adults are allowed to accompany my child to class?
The more the merrier! The more safe grownups that join in on the fun, the more special the memories you make will be. In the past, students have brought as many as five grownups to class with them. These classes have been a great activity for young families to include elderly relatives in their outings. Some indoor venues are tight on space, so reaching out to Steam Engines Learning Co beforehand is suggested if you plan to bring more than two adults to class.
If you’re considering a class that offers snacks or a meal, please check the Eventbrite details to see if you’ll have to provide your own refreshments for additional adults.
What your neighbors think
“We have been following Ms. Erica to different locations because she provides a unique and very valuable art & science based lesson and the young children love it- great method to get parents & their kids working together in a fun & supportive environment. Teacher Erica comes well prepared so that the lessons flow nicely. Highly recommended by Cormac & Gigi” June 16, 2025
“Miss Erica has a natural ability to connect with toddlers and immediately makes them feel excited, comfortable, and eager to participate. We always leave impressed by her creativity and grateful for the learning experiences she provides. Highly recommend!” June 2026