As technology becomes a more common part of everyday life, it makes sense that it’s becoming increasingly integrated into early childhood education and care settings. While it’s normal to be concerned about screen time and the impact of technology on young minds, there are a number of digital tools that are proving to be useful for children’s growth and development.
Read on to learn more about how technology and digital tools are revolutionising early learning in childcare.
The role of technology in childcare
There are so many different ways that early childhood education and care providers are integrating technology into the classroom. Ultimately, the key is to use technology and digital tools to enhance learning and play experiences as part of a holistic learning curriculum.
Here are just some of the ways technology is being incorporated into early learning settings.
Interactive learning apps
These days, there are apps for just about everything, including early childhood education. These apps have been specifically designed to support children’s learning and development. Certain cutting-edge apps can foster creative growth, boost imaginative thinking and support language and literacy development in various ways.
For example, the Australian Government introduced the Early Learning Languages Australia (ELLA) initiative. Tailored to preschool-aged children, this program is designed to encourage them to learn a new language and explore different cultures. ELLA is delivered via play-based apps that children can access via tablet devices at preschool.
Smartboards and touchscreens
Interactive screens like smartboards and touchscreens have become valuable tools in early childhood education. These devices create engaging, hands-on learning experiences that cater to various learning styles and developmental needs.
Smartboards can be used to engage children by encouraging active participation. Unlike passive screen time, smartboards promote interactive learning by allowing children to touch, drag and manipulate digital objects. They can also be used for group activities, like matching games, storytelling or digital drawing, encouraging collaboration and social interaction.
These digital tools offer a multitude of fun, interactive exercises and learning activities, supporting the development of early literacy and numeracy skills, introducing letters, numbers and phonics.
Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR)
Virtual and augmented reality platforms provide immersive learning experiences, allowing children to learn through experiences and exploration.
VR offers a fully immersive digital experience that transports children to virtual environments using a headset or screen-based simulation. Similarly, AR overlays digital content, like images, animations or information, onto the real world through a tablet or smartphone screen, enhancing hands-on learning.
These types of platforms provide an immersive and engaging learning experience, allowing children to visit and explore different times and places, like the ocean or space. Some programs even allow them to travel back through time to walk with dinosaurs.
Educational robots and coding toys
Some childcare centres are using educational robots and toys to teach children problem-solving, logical thinking and basic programming concepts in a fun and engaging way.
Educational robots are simple, programmable robots designed for young children to interact with. They can be programmed to move in different directions, play sounds or respond to basic commands. Coding tools are hands-on learning tools that introduce basic coding principles without the need for screens. They use physical blocks, cards and simple programming interfaces to help teach children critical skills.
Digital documentation and learning management systems
Digital platforms aren’t just being used to support children’s learning and development. They’re also often used to help parents stay connected with their children while they’re in care throughout the day.
These days, most childcare centres use digital portals and apps to keep parents up to date with their child’s progress. From sending daily pictures and updates to providing streamlined milestone tracking, these types of technology are an effective way to strengthen relationships between parents, their children and the childcare service.
Benefits of technology for child development
While it can be easy to get caught up on the potential drawbacks of technology and screens in particular, these digital tools also offer a range of benefits for children in early learning environments.
Supports the development of early skills
Technology can be a highly effective educational tool by providing children with new and exciting opportunities to learn and explore. By engaging with these educational technologies, children can develop essential cognitive skills like problem-solving and critical thinking. For example, some children might even develop fundamental coding skills before they know how to read or write by using educational robots or coding toys.
Makes learning fun and engaging
Technology and digital platforms have the potential to make learning more fun and engaging. They offer a hands-on approach to learning. For children who learn best by doing, this approach can help them to retain information more effectively.
Encourages creativity and imagination
Using technology in childcare can encourage children to express their creativity through interactive storytelling, music and art apps.
Improves school readiness
As the schooling system continues to embrace technology, introducing similar tools and platforms during early childhood education and preschool helps to prepare children for the transition to school.
Assists children with special needs
Finally, technology and digital platforms can be tailored to fit each child’s learning pace and preferred learning style. This can be especially beneficial for children with learning difficulties or special needs.
Challenges of technology in early education
While technology brings with it a range of benefits for children in childcare settings, there are several key challenges that educators must also navigate.
Managing concerns about screen time
Research indicates that too much screen time might hinder children's attention spans, language development, social skills and emotional growth. With this in mind, it’s essential that childcare centres take a balanced approach when integrating technology into their curriculum.
Young children learn best through hands-on exploration, physical activity and social interactions, so it’s important they still have plenty of opportunities throughout the day to participate in these types of activities. Ultimately, the key is to ensure technology enhances physical play, outdoor activities and hands-on learning, rather than replacing these activities. Digital tools should be used for short, interactive sessions, leaving plenty of time for creative, sensory and outdoor play throughout the day.
Potential for exposure to inappropriate content
Not all digital content is educational or developmentally suitable for young children. Some apps and programs focus on passive consumption rather than encouraging active learning. There are also concerns that children could be exposed to advertisements or inappropriate content.
With this in mind, it’s important to ensure educators are carefully vetting apps, games and videos, choosing tools that promote problem-solving, creativity and engagement rather than inactive watching.
Educator training
Early childhood educators play a key role in guiding and mentoring children. They’re also responsible for ensuring technology in the classroom is used as an effective learning support tool, so it’s essential that they’re trained to use technology effectively in early learning.
Ongoing professional development ensures educators are confident in using digital tools effectively. Childcare centres should provide workshops on selecting quality educational apps, using interactive whiteboards and maintaining a balanced tech-play approach.
Technology and digital tools should never replace traditional early childhood education. Instead, these platforms can be used to supplement and support childcare curriculums and lessons. As a parent, it’s only natural to be curious about how your child’s childcare provider is integrating technology into their teachings, so be sure to reach out and ask.
