Technology and Early Childhood Education

Technology and Early Childhood Education

Linda Crosland

Latisha Shipley

ECE/611

February 16, 2015

Technology and Early Childhood Education

Technology plays a role in three and four year olds being ready for kindergarten. Technology can be effectively integrated into a developmentally appropriate early childhood classroom. There are also ways that technology can be used to adapt instruction for children with special needs and for those who are learning English. There are ways that technology can be used in regard to early childhood education for teachers and parents. Early childhood education students should have the opportunity to explore using technology tools in a playful, supportive environment.

The way to integrate technology into early childhood classroom is to see technology as another tool and a kind of material to teach specific skills and concepts. When using technology in the classroom it intended to expand and extend the curriculum. Wardle stated “for example, if a goal of the literacy curriculum is to learn to write personal journals, then the computer is a wonderful tool that can support this endeavor along with the digital cameras and other approaches”. (2012)

According to the author these are some steps should be taken to achieve integration: “create a support team that includes people knowledgeable in technology and those who understand developmentally appropriate practice”. Teachers should also find developmentally appropriate software and developmentally appropriate websites. Teachers should also use computers that can run the software selected and be upgrade easily. Another thing that can be done is to provide adequate staff training for the use of technology as well as appropriate ways to integrate technology into the curriculum.

A student who has physical, sensory or cognitive disabilities has difficulties learning. If a student has motor disabilities he or she will not be able to hold a pencil to write or a compass to do a lesson in math. Students who have a learning disabilities will have a problem decoding words in a printed text. According to the author “when assistive