Technologies

Theoretical Foundations

Technological play in early childhood aligns with several educational theories:

• Piaget’s cognitive development theory recognises that young learners build understanding through interaction with objects and technology-based tools.

• Papert’s constructionism positions children as creators, not just users, of technology—they develop knowledge by constructing digital and physical artefacts (Papert, 1980).

• Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory highlights the role of peer collaboration and guided instruction in helping children navigate and understand technological tools (Smolucha & Smolucha, 2021).

These theories affirm that digital and physical technologies, when used developmentally, enhance problem-solving, collaboration, and creative agency in early learners.

Materials, Resources and Digital Tools

Children’s engagement with technologies can include both digital media and tangible tools. Educators can incorporate:

These tools encourage exploration, design, storytelling, coding, and troubleshooting—all essential 21st-century learning capabilities.

Creative Technology Experiences by Age Group

Infants (0–2 Years)

• Light Table Sensory Play

Babies explore colours, transparency, and shapes using translucent blocks on a light table. This enhances visual stimulation, fine motor control, and curiosity (Gonzalez-Mena, 2019).

• Sound Button Discovery

Infants press different sound buttons or touch-sensitive toys to produce music and light, helping develop cause-and-effect reasoning and sensory awareness.

Toddlers (2–3 Years)

• Interactive Story Apps

Children engage with digital storybooks that include touch interactions (e.g., flipping pages, triggering animations), supporting language development and digital literacy (Ailwood et al., 2016).

• Bee-Bot Movement Exploration

Toddlers press arrow buttons to move a Bee-Bot robot forward or backward, experimenting with basic sequencing and spatial awareness.

Preschoolers (3–5 Years)

• Create a Talking Puppet

Using the ChatterPix Kids app, children take a photo of a puppet, record their voice, and watch it “speak,” promoting storytelling and voice expression.

• Tinker Box Tech Challenge

Children are given simple tech materials (wires, clips, switches) and challenged to make something light up or move, supporting early STEM investigation (STEMIE – Tinker Box).

School-Age (6–8 Years)

• Coding with LEGO Bricks

Using basic coding blocks (physical or on-screen), children create commands for LEGO figures to perform tasks, developing sequencing, logic, and collaboration (STEMIE – LEGO Coding).

• Podcast Studio Play

Children script and record mini podcasts using microphones and tablets, building narrative skills, digital fluency, and media literacy (Nikolopoulou, 2022).

Across all age groups, technology supports exploration, communication, design thinking, and problem-solving — from light and sound play in infancy to podcasting and coding in the early school years.