A Website for Families of Children From Birth Through Grade 3 Created by Kiara Able.
Hello!
Welcome to our website dedicated to helping early childhood professionals support families in understanding the vital connections between technology and early literacy development. Our goal is to provide resources, strategies, and insights that empower educators and parents to effectively integrate technology in ways that enhance young children's literacy skills, fostering a love for reading and learning from an early age.
Five key points from research on using technology with young children to foster early literacy
Use technology to introduce young children to diverse images of people and things (Brightwheel).
Explore digital materials through shared technology time. Through activities like shared book reading, you can create opportunities to engage with young children by talking to them and introducing new vocabulary (Brightwheel).
Document children’s drawings and create digital books with photos to explore digital storytelling (Brightwheel).
Create progress reports using audio or visual files to share digital updates with families (Brightwheel).
Expose children to concepts like science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) by including STEAM activities in your lesson plans (Brightwheel).
Source: Brightwheel. (2024, July 18). Technology in Early Childhood Education. Technology in early childhood education. https://mybrightwheel.com/blog/technology-in-early-childhood-education
Keep in mind...
Pros of Technology
Technology can help children develop language and literacy skills, improve their cognitive development, and strengthen their fine motor skills. For example, educational apps and e-books can help children learn letters, expand their vocabulary, and improve their pronunciation. Technology can also help children develop social connections and friendships.
Cons of Technology
Educators and parents have been cautioned about the negative impact of background television (Kirkorian et al. 2009; AAP 2011b), Excessive screen time can have negative effects on children's development, including poorer attention and memory. Some children may also experience poor self-esteem and isolation from using technology. Passive use of screen media, such as keeping the TV on in the background, can cause irregular sleep patterns and focus problems.
Source: Ricci RC, Paulo ASC, Freitas AKPB, Ribeiro IC, Pires LSA, Facina MEL, Cabral MB, Parduci NV, Spegiorin RC, Bogado SSG, Chociay Junior S, Carachesti TN, Larroque MM. Impacts of technology on children's health: a systematic review. Rev Paul Pediatr. 2022 Jul 6;41:e2020504. doi: 10.1590/1984-0462/2023/41/2020504. PMID: 35830157; PMCID: PMC9273128.
National Association for the Education of Young Children and the Fred Rogers Center for Early Learning and Children’s Media at Saint Vincent College. (2012b). Technology and interactive media as tools in early childhood programs serving children from birth through age 8. NAEYC. https://www.naeyc.org/sites/default/files/globallyshared/downloads/PDFs/resources/topics/PS_technolo gy_WEB.pdf
GUIDELINES BY AGE
Infants: Limit screen time to video chatting with an adult. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no screen time before 18 months (aacap).
Toddlers: Limit screen time to watching educational programming with a caregiver (aacap).
Preschoolers: Limit non-educational screen time to about one hour per weekday and three hours on weekends. The World Health Organization recommends no more than one hour of screen time per day for children under age five (aacap).
Kindergartners: Limit screen time to no more than two hours per day, not including homework or virtual learning (aacap).
First/Second/Third Graders: Limit screen time to no more than two hours per day, not including homework or virtual learning (aacap).
Sources: Aacap. (n.d.). Screen time and children. https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/Children-And-Watching-TV 054.aspx#:~:text=Until%2018%20months%20of%20age,babysitters%2C%20or%20to%20stop%20tantrums.
AGE-APPROPRIATE IDEAS FOR CHILDREN & FAMILIES
1. Use interactive storybook apps that read aloud and highlight words as they are spoken.
2. Engage in video calls with family members to encourage social interaction and language use.
1. Use interactive e-books that read aloud to children and highlight words as they are spoken. Interactive e-books can help children associate spoken words with written text, enhancing their reading skills. Educational apps designed for early literacy can make learning engaging and fun, reinforcing key language concepts through interactive play.
2. Engage children in educational apps that focus on letter recognition, phonics, and vocabulary building.
1. Use educational apps that focus on phonics and letter recognition. Educational apps can provide engaging and interactive ways for kindergartners to learn phonics and letter recognition, which are foundational skills for early literacy. Interactive e-books can help children develop listening skills and word recognition by combining visual and auditory learning.
2. Engage in interactive e-books that read aloud and highlight words as they are spoken.
1. Use educational apps that focus on phonics and sight words to help children practice reading skills. Educational apps can make learning to read engaging and interactive, reinforcing phonics and sight words. Word processing software helps children practice writing, spelling, and organizing their thoughts, which are crucial for developing literacy skills.
2. Encourage children to use word processing software to write short stories or journal entries. This beneficial activity for children uses word processing software for writing, which promotes literacy and familiarity with technology.
Source: National Association for the Education of Young Children and the Fred Rogers Center for Early Learning and Children’s Media at Saint Vincent College. (2012b). Technology and interactive media as tools in early childhood programs serving children from birth through age 8. NAEYC. https://www.naeyc.org/sites/default/files/globally-shared/downloads/PDFs/resources/topics/PS_technology_WEB.pdf
Great APPs for Young Children
Here are some guidelines help ensure that the apps are beneficial for young children's learning and development by being suitable for their age, engaging them actively, fostering creativity, and promoting social skills:
#1 Ensure the app is age-appropriate and matches the developmental level of the child.
#2 Look for apps that promote active engagement rather than passive consumption.
#3 Choose apps that encourage creativity and exploration.
#4 Select apps that provide opportunities for social interaction and collaboration.
Three apps that focus on early literacy and explain how each can be used to promote early literacy and for what ages.
ABC mouse - ABCmouse offers a comprehensive curriculum for ages 2-8, including reading and phonics activities.
Starfall - Starfall is suitable for ages 3-7 and provides interactive games and songs to teach reading basics.
Endless Alphabet - Endless Alphabet is designed for ages 3-6 and uses engaging animations to teach vocabulary and letter sounds.
Source: Buckleitner, W. (n.d.-a). Selecting apps to support children’s learning. NAEYC. https://www.naeyc.org/our-work/families/selecting-apps-support-children