Unquestionably, children are being born into the digital era. As early education professionals, it is our job to prepare them for the digital life that lies ahead by embracing technological tools for learning and play.
As US Academic Dr Chip Donohue explains, “these are tools of the children’s world, these are tools of their culture, these are tools that will be critical for their school readiness and success”.
While the benefits of integrating technological tools into the curriculum have been well documented (you can read all about them on our blog here), it can be overwhelming to decide when, how much, and how often to use them.
That’s why we’re sharing 14 simple ideas to help you easily integrate technology into your existing learning program – as well as 5 of our favourite early education tech tools.
Let’s dive in!
14 simple ideas to integrate technology into your early learning program
It’s clear that with a little creativity, technology, with its vast capabilities, can create countless early learning opportunities for children. However, Author Lisa Guernsey encourages Educators to use the “Three C’s—the content, the context, and the needs of the individual child—to create parameters”.
Here are some of our favourite activities using a variety of readily available technological tools:
- Explore digital storytelling with children by co-creating a digital book. Ask children to create their own physical storybook and scan this to create a digital copy. You can then record them narrating their book, overlaying the digital copy with their narration to create a digital book.
- Download the app Leafsnap HDonto your tablet and head outdoors to identify leaves in your outdoor environments.
- Take children on a technology excursion within your local community. As they walk down the street, ask them to identify different types of technology in their environment. When you return, transform this into an art activity by asking them to draw/create the technologies that they saw.
- Use video chat software (like Zoom) to connect and communicate with children and families outside the centre. Why not link up with another preschool across the world to allow children to extend their understanding of different cultures and global diversity?
- Using a digital camera or tablet, actively encourage children to record the process of an activity as they progress through it. You can then print out the photos and collate them into a portfolio they can share with their family and friends.
- Create a digital scavenger hunt! Using a tablet, take pictures of letters, numbers, and shapes (saving them as a photo album on your tablet). Allow children to explore the learning environment to find the same items in various forms – talking about the different items they’ve found as they look.
- Allow children to freely explore tablets that have been loaded with a variety of developmentally appropriate apps and experiences (these should be well-designed and enhance feelings of success). It’s important to do this together as a shared experience and set a time limit. Here is a great list of apps to get started.
- Use YouTube to extend other areas of your learning program – why not try engaging children in an online yoga session or viewing the vast array of live camera footage of various animals on Taronga Zoo TV?
- Struggling to get children to rug up in the colder months? Why not use the Weather Channel website or app and allow children to determine whether they need a jacket or not? Ask them to locate where they are on a map and talk about the different meteorological systems they can see on the radar.
- Encourage teamwork and imaginative play by recording a movie together. Using a smart device, record children doing an activity such as dancing, singing, or acting out a story. Allow them to allocate roles for their movie, with some children performing in front of the camera and others engaging behind the camera as videographers (with your help).
- Using a Smartboard or tablet, help children to master early literacy skills by identifying and tracing letters in an interactive way to supplement your early-literacy program.
- Using a projector, put a music video or sing-along songs on a big screen and encourage children to follow along and imitate the actions in the song. You can then discuss what they learned in the song, for instance, letters, rhymes, or even new words.
- Tape chalk to the back of a programmable toy (such as a BeeBot) and manoeuvre it to draw specific shapes on large sheets of paper or on the path outside.
- Simple, yet effective – explore a child’s topic of interest using the internet to extend the learning opportunities and knowledge gathering.
Our top 5 early education tech tools
Cubetto is a playful wooden robot that helps young children discover programming through storytelling, adventure, and collaboration.
Using a hands-on, block-based programming language, Cubetto is the first coding toy of its kind to work without a screen or digital interface. This means children can learn to code before they can even read or write!
Squishy Circuits uses conductive and insulating play dough to teach the basics of electrical circuits, problem-solving and engineering concepts that inspire creativity and independent thinking.
We love Smartboards for their ability to empower and engage children in a multitude of learning activities – in fact, the opportunities are limitless. There are so many different Smartboards to choose from, so here is a list of 6 of the best Smartboards on the market right now.
Using tactile wooden tiles and a tablet, the Marbotic kits help children discover letters, numbers, counting, and spelling in a fun, multi-sensory and interactive way. Several children can play at one time, making it a fantastic group activity.
Specially designed STEM Lego promotes curiosity, fun and creativity – allowing children to experiment their way from basic to advanced STEM skills. From Coding Express to SPIKE and BricQ there are a range of opportunities to suit every developmental age.
Enrolment Hub – The leader in Early Education Enrolments
Enrolment Hub provides a full-service offering including Administration and CCMS support, occupancy and enrolment strategies, brand marketing assistance, debt recovery, new provider set-up, and consultation services.
Enrolment Hub would love the opportunity to discuss how we can partner with you to deliver fantastic results for your Childcare Centre. Reach out to our team here or please give them a call on (02) 8123 2300.
Share
