The technology of our preschoolers' future is hardly imaginable, but what is certain is that tomorrow's tech will make their academic and professional lives vastly different from ours today.
According to the National Institute for Literacy, "Young children need opportunities to develop the early "technology-handling" skills associated with early digital literacy that are akin to the "book-handling" skills associated with early literacy development."
In spite of hearing the benefits of incorporating tech into the classroom, there was a clear divide among Kids Konnect teachers on if we should adopt tech into our curriculum or not.
The fear was that tech would take away from the hands-on learning experiences and social interactions that are vital in early learning.
We reached the decision to incorporate tech, but setting up a laptop or touchscreen wasn't going to make us a tech effective preschool. So, we got to work on how to do this right.
The top 5 things to ask about technology in a preschool classroom
Parents and teachers alike should know the basics of what works when it comes to young children and technology. Having tech in the classroom without a few ground rules can be more harmful than helpful.Here are 5 things to consider when looking for preschool with technology in the classroom:
We have struck a balance in tech and tactical learning. Teachers use touchscreens and laptops to aid learning and promote familiarity with digital technologies. "We use technology to enhance, rather than replace, teaching and social interactions.", says Elisa Magidoff, Executive Director. "Besides use in teaching, we use it for playtime activities, like dancing to songs on YouTube and playing electronic games."
Kids Konnect has discovered the value of offering technology in our classrooms. Tech is here to stay and primary schools across the country are adopting technology in their curriculum. Preschools are here to prepare children for school success and would be remiss if they didn't make this part of our preschool curriculum.
Kids Konnect has found having the tech center beneficial for our school and for the preschoolers who have graduated from our program. Technology is not evil when used properly.
Do you think technology has a place in the preschool curriculum?