Technology Use in Preschool Programs

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Technology Use in Preschool Programs

Admin • December 11, 2017

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You already know that your preschooler is learning and growing every day. From building basic math skills to beginning to read and write, the early childhood classroom is the seat of development for your young child. In addition to science, social studies and art, modern curriculum also includes technology.

Even though your child is under the age of five, that does not mean they can't get a jump-start on technology use. Obviously, classroom tech-time doesn't look the same as it does for you. Your preschooler isn't answering slews of emails, and they're not binge-watching their favorite show on a tablet.

So what does technology use look like in the preschool classroom? Take a look at how computers, media and other technological devices function in preschool programs.

Hands-On and Active

There are more than a few ways to use technology, and it's not all positive. Passive technology use won't help your child learn or develop new skills. Passive use includes what many people think of when they hear the words "screen time." Sitting in front of a laptop, blankly staring at flashing images with eyes that are glazing over is often the mental picture that parents get when they think of technology use and their children - but this isn't always the case.

How can children get active while using computers and other technology? Teachers need to create hands-on learning experiences. These are active lessons and explorations that allow the young child to use the technology in a way that is engaging. This type of interactive use might include painting a digital picture on the computer or playing a math matching game on a tablet.

Intentional Use

Like other activities and lessons in the classroom, early childhood teachers should use technology intentionally. What does this mean? To start with, teachers should have a purpose for the children's tech-time activities. Instead of turning on the TV or letting the children watch a movie on a laptop, the teacher creates meaningful experiences that allow the child to interact with technology in goal-oriented ways.

Intentional technology use also requires the teacher to create learning goals and objectives. This means that the educator creates lesson/activity plans for tech-time that look like those for other content areas, such as math and science.

Curriculum Connections

Understanding how to use technology is absolutely essential for children who will eventually enter into a tech-filled workplace and world. However, technology doesn't have to function as a stand-alone lesson.

Preschool teachers may use computers, tablets and other devices to teach young children about technology and the basics of its use - like how to turn on a computer, click on what you want to see and use the internet for research. However, they can also use tech-time activities as a way to connect to other parts of the pre-K curriculum.

The preschool teacher can use computer software, the internet and mobile apps to help their young students learn about an array of different concepts. These concepts can include anything from number identification and simple addition to reading and writing letters. Along with the basics, computers can help children to explore science concepts, learn about history and even create art.

Time Limits

Keep in mind, your child's preschool day isn't filled with technology use. There's a time and a place for this type of activity. It's likely that the teacher will create specific times for computer and tablet use. This may mean that the computer is open during a certain time in the morning or that the children get regularly scheduled turns using it.

Are you looking for a new preschool program that can help your young child to learn and develop? Kids & Company can help.

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