Preschool STEM Curriculum in Coeur d'Alene, ID
For Coeur d'Alene-area daycares and preschools, preschool stem curriculum has to be three things at once: play-based, runnable by staff with no training day, and defensible to a parent who asks how much screen time it involves. The honest answer to the third is: very little.
Written for daycares & preschools · Coeur d'Alene, ID · ≈191,864 residents · 240th largest US metro
What we actually do
Preschool STEM is not early academics. It is sorting, patterning, counting with meaning, and asking what happens if - the habits that make kindergarten math feel familiar. A center needs it to be play-based, staff-ready without training days, and defensible to parents asking about screen time.
Coeur d'Alene metro at a glance
- Metro area: Coeur d'Alene, ID
- Population: ≈191,864 (240th largest in the US)
- State: Idaho · Region: West
- Combined statistical area: Spokane–Spokane Valley–Coeur d'Alene, WA-ID
Start with the foundation
The Ellis Abel Learns books are the emotional half of the same program, and they are already written for read-aloud in a group setting. Sorting, patterning and counting with meaning on one side; naming feelings and recovering from frustration on the other. Kindergarten readiness is both.
Ellis Abel & The Big Test
Lesson: test anxiety
Ellis Abel faces the biggest test of the school year and learns that preparation, self-belief, and calm breathing beat worry every time.
Ellis Abel & The Scary Playground
Lesson: facing fears
A new playground feels big and scary until Ellis Abel discovers that courage means trying even when you're afraid.
Ellis Abel & The Red Block
Lesson: frustration and problem-solving
When the red block won't fit, Ellis Abel learns to pause, breathe, and try a new way instead of giving up.
Ellis Abel & The Disciple
Lesson: mentorship and character
Ellis Abel learns what it means to follow a good example and to become someone worth following.
Ellis Abel and the Two Wolves Within
Lesson: self-talk and choices
Two voices compete inside every choice. Ellis Abel learns that the wolf you feed is the wolf that wins.
Ellis Abel & The Magic Triangle
Lesson: growth mindset
Effort, practice, and patience form the magic triangle that helps Ellis Abel turn 'I can't' into 'I can't yet.'
Next step
Center licensing covers every classroom in one building, with printable lesson cards and a one-page parent summary you can send home each month.
Questions Coeur d'Alene center directors ask
- How much screen time does this involve?
- Very little. The curriculum is primarily physical - the digital piece is a staff-facing lesson card and a simple progress log.
- Do staff need training?
- No. Each lesson is a single card with materials, script and the point of the activity.
- Is it kindergarten-readiness aligned?
- Yes, mapped to common kindergarten-readiness indicators for early numeracy.