Technologies

Technology

Technology provides a young child with a great method to learn their creativity and develop essential skills, such as problem-solving and communication through the usage of devices and toys, like tablets, audio books, and interactive toys (Howard & Mayesky, 2022). With these resources, children have opportunities to learn actively through hands-on experiences and make ideas come alive in a significant manner (National Association for the Education of Young Children [NAEYC], n.d.-a). The role of educators is significant because they may assist children in safely and goal-oriented use of technology and encourage their curiosity and confidence (AGDE, 2022). Technology can also be an asset to the creative play and learning of children when applied in a wise way (ACECQA, 2022).

Theories and Perspectives

The theory of Multiple Intelligences by Gardner demonstrates that children reveal themselves creatively in various ways, and technological and visual activities can support the creativity of children very well (Howard & Mayesky, 2022). Piaget underlined the active learning experience because children could learn the most when they actively move and investigate the surroundings and digital means are effective to engage in (NAEYC, n.d.-b). The theory of Constructionism shows that children learn through creating and experimenting with technological tools that should promote a creative approach to solving problems (Fred Rogers Center, 2012). The concepts assist educators in developing technological experiences to increase the creativity and critical thinking of children (ACECQA, 2022).

Resources for Different Age Groups (0-8 years):

Babies (0–2 years):

Interactive light up toys,
Digital storybooks,
Simple cause and effect toys,
Soft touch tablets,
Audio books (Howard & Mayesky, 2022; NAEYC, n.d.-a).

Toddlers (2-3 years):

Drawing tablets,
Voice recorders,
Simple digital cameras,
Toy microphones,
Interactive story books (NAEYC, n.d.-b; Howard & Mayesky, 2022).

Preschoolers (3-5 years):

Simple apps,
Small robots,
Video cameras,
Drawing tablets,
Story telling app (NAEYC & Fred Rogers Center, 2012; AGDE, 2022).

Older Children (6-8 years):

Digital microphones,
Video editing software,
Tablets,
Robotic kits (ACECQA, 2022; Howard & Mayesky, 2022).

Creative Learning Experiences

Babies (0-2 years):

Digital Story Listening:

Material List: Storybook on a tablet

Activity: The animated stories are provided to the babies to listen and watch, which will help them develop the necessary linguistic skills and new vocabularies (NAEYC, n.d.-a).

Interactive toy play:

Material List: Light up toy with buttons

Activity: Babies press the buttons to activate lights, or sounds, which will stimulate their interest in cause and effect (Howard & Mayesky, 2022).

Toddlers (2-3 years):

Sketching on Tablet

Material List: Tablet PC that allows drawing.

Activity: Toddlers use tablet with drawing application, they draw various shapes or figures and are developing skills to be creative and flexible by forming shapes and lines with their hands using fingers (Howard & Mayesky, 2022).

Voice Recording Fun:

Material List: Voice recorder

Activity: Children come and give short performance like dance, singing, or anything they like, leave a recording of them and play them to advance language development and self-expression (NAEYC, n.d.-b).

Preschoolers:

Short Videos

Material List: Tablet or video camera

Activity: Preschoolers make short videos to tell stories or even record events and they accommodate the creativity of these stories (NAEYC & Fred Rogers Center, 2012).

Programming Simple Robots:

Material List: Bee-Bot programmable robot

Activity: Children have the robot following an instructive pattern on a mat, developing the skills of problem-solving and logical thinking (AGDE, 2022).

Older Children:

Basic Coding Games:

Material List: Tablet with entry level coding software

Activity: Children use the application to use their creativity. The apps they use can stimulate them to create a design of animation or solving coding puzzles, developing creativity and logic (ACECQA, 2022).

Digital Photo Collage:

Material List: Tablet or computer installed with photo editing software

Activity: Children snap and compile photos into digital collages with creative design to boost their skills in technology field (Howard & Mayesky, 2022).

Digital Reflection

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Digital Story Listening

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Simple Drawing On Tablet

Critical Reflection

The digital story listening activity indicated that orally presented stories stimulated the interest of the babies in using the interactive book and ensured holding their attention with the visual and audio messages (NAEYC, n.d.-a). They reacted by pointing and laughing signifying interest and interaction. In the next sessions, I would include additional educator engagement and responses, inquiring and inviting babies to imitate sounds to promote further language development (Howard & Mayesky, 2022).

The drawing activity involving toddlers was productive both in terms of developing creativity and the improvement of fine motor skills. Children liked to play with shapes and colours in the tablet (Howard & Mayesky, 2022). Other toddlers at the beginning of the process required additional assistance to fully utilise the app with some confidence, and the next time I would be more explicit with demonstrations and suggestions to children in order to describe the presented images (NAEYC, n.d.-b). The two experiences proved the worth of easy, fun with technology to promote creativity and communication among little children. In the future practice, it may be beneficial to showcase children digital creations to families in order to improve confidence and engagement of the learning process (AGDE, 2022).

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