Some educators worry that introducing technology into early childhood classrooms might reduce opportunities for play and social interaction. There has been some skepticism about exposing young children to digital tools at an early age, fearing the potential negative effects it may have on a young child. However, research and classroom experiences suggest that when technology is used thoughtfully and intentionally, the quality of children's screen time can be meaningful and beneficial.
For example, in Ms. Taylor's Kindergarten classroom, technology supports play-based learning. For less than half an hour each day, Ms. Taylor incorporates a variety of developmentally appropriate digital literacy opportunities for her students.
For instance, this past Monday, children used a digital drawing app to design their own story characters. Then, they acted out the story using puppets and recorded their voices. On Tuesday, she used different songs and videos to enhance movement and physical development.
In her classroom, technology becomes a tool for storytelling, creativity, and exploration. Technology can be a powerful resource when it is used purposefully and intentionally. It can be used to support learning goals, developmental needs, and enhance meaningful engagement for our young learners. It is meant to complement hands-on exploration, play-based learning, and social interaction, while fostering children's curiosity and love for learning.
What is Digital Pedagogy?
Digital pedagogy refers to the intentional and strategic decisions that educators make when using digital technology to support teaching and learning. It involves integrating digital tools in ways that enhance or transform educational experiences for learners.
Digital pedagogy can include, but are not limited to, the use of:
- Electronic devices (e.g. computers, tablets, cameras)
- Digital resources and interactive learning (e.g. games, videos, educational apps)
- Digital-related materials in play (e.g. non-working keyboards, telephones, cameras as props in play)
- Digital storytelling to support literacy (e.g. interactive story read alouds)
- Documentation tools for assessment and observation
- Digital communication with families
- Electronic devices to support accessibility and diverse learning needs
How do we use technology responsibly?
Many of today's young learners enter preschool having some exposure to different digital platforms, devices, and apps. It is important to consider that The Canadian Paediatric Society (2017) issued the following caution:
- No screens before 2 years of age and less than 1 hour of screen time for children between 2 and 5 years. (Ponti 2023)
With this in mind, as educators, we should be mindful of integrating intentional and developmentally appropriate digital learning opportunities for our children.
Supporting Engagement
It is very important that technology does not replace other important early childhood activities, such as creative play, exploration, social interaction, and conversations. Technology can be used as a tool to expand engagement in these areas. Always participate with them, ask open-ended questions about what they are doing while using the technology tool, and encourage them to make connections to other experiences.
How can we use different digital tools to support engagement?
- Photo and Video Sharing
- Educators can incorporate real-world applications using photos and videos to promote problem solving so children can make connections to their surroundings.
- Digital Storytelling
- Active storytelling can expand children's curiosity and imagination. Educators may consider using digital storybooks with touch features that allow children to tap characters or objects to hear sounds or see animations as they read.
- Drawing and Creative Apps
- Children can actively create pictures, color, and experiment with shapes or other techniques using digital tools to express themselves.
- Music and Movement
- Children can follow along to different actions and instructions such as clapping, jumping, or dancing along with songs or videos from digital educational platforms.
- Interactive Learning Games
- Children are able to tap, drag, and interact with digital learning programs to reinforce skills and concepts in early literacy, math, sciences, arts and more.
Supporting Accessibility
Digital tools and technology can not only enhance children's engagement, but also inclusivity and success for students with diverse developmental profiles. When used intentionally, technology can provide a lot of different ways for children to access information, express their thoughts and ideas, and participate meaningfully in the classroom. For example, technology can be used for communication for learners with speech and language needs or developmental delays (e.g. some features include augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), text to speech, or speech to text functionalities).
How should we consider online safety?
Digital citizenship is an important part of digital literacy for young children. We know that technology will be a lasting part of our world in the presence of education and everyday life, which is why it is really important for young children to develop healthy digital habits early on. Since our children are still learning how technology works, educators must carefully guide and supervise their digital experiences. (NAEYC & Fred Rogers Center 2021)
Some risks might include lack of privacy and personal information, inappropriate content, excessive screen time, misuse of devices, and/or lack of security on digital platforms.
As educators, it is our duty and responsibility to create a safe and supportive environment that not only enhances and transforms learning experiences, but also protects them from harmful content.
Consider the following reflection questions to consider before implementing digital technology into the classroom for your children:
- Is it academically and developmentally appropriate?
- Do my children know how to use it?
- How does the game or app perform through a child's eyes?
- Do I need to add extra adult controls or ad blocks?
- Is it within the recommended screen time limit for my age group?
How can I use digital tools to support core areas?
Interactions with technology and media should be playful and support creativity, exploration, pretend play, active play, and outdoor activities. Play is central to children's development and learning.
Children's interactions with technology can also enhance foundational learning in core areas, such as literacy, math, STEM, creative arts, physical health and wellbeing, as well as social and emotional learning.
- Literacy
- Interactive storybooks
- Phonics and alphabet learning games or apps that promote phonological awareness and early literacy skills
- Drawing or digital writing tools
- Voice recording or digital storytelling
- Songs, rhymes, and videos that promote sound awareness and vocabulary
- Math
- Ask the children about what they notice in the photos or videos (e.g. how many trees are in the photo? How many people do you see? What colour are the cars?)
- Show children photos taken on a tablet about different patterns and shapes in the real world and ask the children to find something similar around the classroom
- Use interactive math games, puzzles, or apps that promote early math skills
- Play songs, rhymes, and videos and ask children to dance or sing along
- STEAM Learning
- Record children's thoughts and ideas from a sink or float experiment using a digital tool
- Explore growth of their own seeds and plants through photos and videos
- Record weather patterns and asking questions about their wonderings or how they might dress
- Use a drawing app to record what they notice or see from an experiment
- Creative Arts
- Use a drawing app to draw a picture about a curiosity, wondering, or observation
- Create an art exhibition or gallery walk to showcase all of children's digital artwork
- Play songs, rhymes, and videos and ask children to dance or sing along
- Use videos and audios to create stories in dramatic play
- Physical Health and Wellbeing
- Have children participate and imitate yoga or dance movements guided in videos as a whole or small group
- Practice guidance of breathing exercises using digital tools
- Use their fingers to drag, drop, move, or trace interactive activities to enhance fine motor skills
- Use digital maps for walking or tracking to count steps when going on an outdoor nature walk
- Use a scavenger hunt where children need to find and take a photo of specific items around the classroom (guided by an educator)
- Social-Emotional Learning
- Digital storytelling and read alouds that focus on recognizing emotions or self-regulation strategies
- Promoting turn taking and sharing when using digital tools together in large or small group settings
- Recording reflective check-ins for children to share to educators or to their families
How can I use digital tools for assessment and communication?
Digital tools can support assessment for educators. There are a variety of tools and strategies that help educators observe, record, analyze, and communicate children's learning in efficient and engaging ways. This might include using digital portfolios, tracking tools, assessment activities, as well as data analysis and reporting.
Digital tools can not only support children in the classroom, but it can promote family partnerships through active communication as well. With new technology-based options, educators have options to communicate directly with families about their child's day, as well as developmental progress shared by the educators. Educators have the ability to organize and send photos, videos, audio recordings, and other documentation about their child's day, activities, learnings, and important messages to families.
Reflect on it
Reflective practice helps educators refine their approach and continuously improve the quality of their teaching.
You might consider the following self-reflection questions as you think about technology use in the classroom and how to support children through diverse learning opportunities in your classroom.
- What are my current beliefs about technology with young children?
- Do you view technology as a replacement, enhancement, or extension of learning experiences?
- How does the digital tool support developmental milestones of children (e.g. physical, social, emotional, cognitive etc.)?
- Are you considering cultural responsiveness and inclusivity in the digital content that you choose?
- What skills do I need to feel more confident in using technology effectively?
Conclusion: Intentional Technology Usage
There is strong potential that digital technology has on early childhood education when thoughtfully implemented. Digital tools are powerful, but they are not the educator. Technology can amplify learning, but it does not replace the human guidance that makes learning meaningful and relevant to each child. When technology is used intentionally and appropriately, they are effective tools to support learning and development in young children.
Further Learning with Lillio Academy
For educators seeking to further their understanding of technology use in the classroom, Lillio Academy offers the course "Technology in the Classroom". This course will explore effective integration of educational technology tools, online safety, and blended learning models. Educators will also explore a variety of digital strategies that support engagement, differentiation, and assessment of diverse learners through different classroom scenarios and examples.
Whether you're new to this method or looking to refine your skills, this course is an excellent resource for professional growth!