5 ways to Integrate technology in Preschool

The use of technology in early childhood education is very important for several reasons today. The top of these includes helping young children view ICT as tools designed for specific purposes and to enhance learning. Attached such attributes are the benefits of many, however, for these to all be unlocked you must use evidence-based teaching strategies to ensure that children benefit from their digital experiences. Here are five ways on how to use technology in preschool classrooms today.

Integrating ICT in preschool can be achieved in the following ways:

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Develop Technological Literacy and ICT Capability

I have listed this one first as I believe it is the most important. ICT capability can be developed in the most meaningful context-driven activities in the early year curriculum. Seek and plan to develop each component of it and ensure that the correct software is used such as those that are content-free and challenge children intellectually.

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Encourage Creativity

In early childhood education, creative development is in its own area of learning within the EYLF. Using technology in preschool education provides an opportunity for young children to be creative. So you need to encourage them to use drawing and painting programs and apps and model the use of software yourself.

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Promote digital play

Good quality role play gives young children the opportunity to make sense of the digital world in which we live. Allow them to help you set up the role-play area of your learning environment and place quality and appropriate ICT resources there for them to use such as real tech that works, the real tech that doesn’t work, the tech that they made themselves, and toy technology that simulate the working of real technologies.

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Use ICT to search for things of interest

Preschool technology in early childhood education can be used by both teachers and children to search the World Wide Web for interesting things on the Internet. You can guide them through the right practices to use keywords to search for what they are looking for so as to develop their technological literacy along the way.

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Teach Literacy and Numeracy

Using technology appropriate in the preschool classroom also involves software such as word processors and spreadsheets to teach literacy and numeracy. This type of technology in preschool also develops a child’s ICT capability. Of course, you can use subject-specific software, however, this will entirely depend on your own learning goals. You may just wish to teach literacy, but remember the value of ICT in enhancing literacy learning and the opportunities that can be missed in a digital world.

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Learn to apply high-impact teaching strategies to effectively integrate technology in preschool today.

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7 Ways to use Technology in Preschool

If the top 5 ways weren't enough, here are another 7 ways for your to integrate technology in preschool today.

1. You can allow young children to freely explore touch screens that have developmentally appropriate interactive media.
2. Provide opportunities for young children to explore and feel comfortable using the mouse and keyboard.
3. Another option for you to use technology in preschool is to use capture photos of block buildings or artwork that the young children have created.
4. Always make sure that you celebrate their accomplishments using digital technology in early childhood education.
5. Don't forget about using assistive technology in preschool classrooms.
6. Use your smartphone or tablet computer to record children's stories about their drawings or play.
7. Finally, when planning to use technology in preschool learning activities you can explore digital storytelling with children. Imagine the potential of technology in early childhood to co-create digital books with them.

Learn more about?integrating technology in the preschool classroom today.