The Edu-Mat project (Project Number: 2023-1-IT02-KA220-SCH-000157934) has been co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA).

Recommendations

It is crucial to develop a digital educational protocol for teachers, focused on safeguarding the well-being of school-age children when using digital devices in STEAM experiments. This guideline centers on three fundamental dimensions of well-being:

  1. The Body
    This dimension concerns individual, physical, and virtual well-being, ensuring a safe environment for developing the child's spatial-motor intelligence. The educator's role is to ensure digital use supports, rather than compromises, physical well-being and primary socialization.
  1. The Mind
    This involves the psychological, cognitive, and emotional well-being that children must maintain while using technological devices.
  1. Relationships
    This refers to social well-being, emphasizing interaction and relationship to promote inclusion and civic sense. Investing in the relational dimension via STEAM enhances social intelligence, which can be hampered by isolated device use. For preschoolers, the educator’s mediation is key to ensuring a self-regulated and integrated use that fosters exchange, sharing, and collaboration with peers. This holistic approach is essential for the child's individual and social well-being.
The guidelines are also available as a PDF file in text format.