Try this easy EYLF Preschool Activity with tech today

When planning early years learning framework outcomes activities that are centred around the use of digital technology in preschool activities or that of kindergarten as well, it is important to remember that the role of technology in early childhood education is a complex but potentially powerful tool.

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If you are to integrate ICT in early childhood activities then you will need a good understanding of ICT concepts and their relation to other areas of the EYLF outcomes.

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Welcome to my first blog that will highlight EYLF outcome 5 activities examples and will enable the children in your care to meet the early learning goals that you have set out for them.

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The development of ICT capability in early childhood education is best achieved when you provide young children with meaningful activities, embedded in purposeful subject-related contexts. So these ideas as to how you can integrate technology in preschool activities will provide you with evidence of a cross-curricula, focused approach to planned use of ICT in preschool.

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Throughout this entire process I would like to encourage you to put an ICT column in the weekly planning sheets so to ensure that to ensure that you and other educators think creatively about how to teach a concept or plan for an experience using technology in preschool activities.

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*** NOTE: This is an extract from my Early Years Learning Framework professional development online course – Harness Technology in Early Childhood Education Today – 11 hours of CPD!

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Let’s get started!

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Planning your EYLF outcome 5 Activity

Earlier, I discussed the importance of planning in early childhood education and how this is amplified when integrating technology in the preschool classroom.

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As this is the first of the EYLF articles, I want to stress the significance of considering a child’s level of ICT capability when planning. For you to respond a child’s own expertise in ICT skills, knowledge and understanding it is important that you do take this into account.

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Before any type of early childhood learning activity involving the use of ICT in preschool or otherwise, conduct a pre-lesson activity to gain an appreciation of where they are currently, where they ought to be and where they might be heading next.

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The early years planning cycle supports the process of collecting information through observation in early childhood education. Formative assessment strategies are the key to effective planning and as part of my professional development goals for early childhood educators I share what methods can be used to capture the application of ICT capability in early childhood learning activities.

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As the key elements of ICT capability are practical you will need to use a different strategy for each component. Reinforcing the observation and collection of data as stated in the early years planning cycle strengthens your ability as a teacher to become more responsive to their learning needs.

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Lesson Plan

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Activity

In a whole class discussion, discuss and talk to the children about their knowledge of ICT in their lives. Ask questions such as:

• What is technology?
• How do you use technology at home?
• Where else do you see technology?

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Generate a list of questions to ask to prompt their curiosity about Information and Communication Technology.

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Take a small group of children on a technology walk in your surrounding environment. Stop every so often to talk about what the technology they see around them.

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When you get back to your learning centre, discuss as a group what they saw in terms of the technology being used. It could be a person on a mobile phone, traffic light, computer etc. Generate another discussion about the technologies.

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Follow up this discussion with craft activities of the children making their favourite technologies that they saw on the walk.

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Extended Activity

Another way to see this go further is to prepare a role play setting for them with their hand-made technologies. Children will get extra value and fulfilment by playing with their own technologies.

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Linking to the framework

In this activity, you can see how:?

• Identify the uses of technologies in everyday life and use real or imaginary technologies as props in their play (EYLF Learning Outcome 5);
• explore different identities and points of view in dramatic play (EYLF Learning Outcome 1).

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You may need to identify a similar outcome in your early years curriculum.

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ICT Tools

Here you need to list your favourite craft items to use. You may also want to use a data projector and computer with the Internet to discuss technology in society.

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ICT level of differentiation

1. Can identify a computer.
2. Can identify a digital camera.
3. Can identify other digital technology.