Technology and Early Childhood Ed
Reflecting on an Earlier Time
During my time as a teacher in a Montessori classroom, there was little to no technology present; besides a digital camera and a cd player. Around 2017, we introduced a tablet in the classroom that was specifically for teachers to take pictures, play music, and keep digital records. In the last 5 years, significant advancements are observed in the Ed Tech field! As I hear about my daughter and her Kindergarten experience in our public elementary school, I envision all of the unique ways that her educational experience is enhanced by infusing technology as a tool for learning!
Intertwining Technology and Early Childhood Education
Technology in early childhood education (ECE) has become an integral part of teaching children the essential skills they need to form a basis for future learning. We are all aware that technology is the future and our children need to not only understand it, but embrace it, even at a basic level. This can be hard for us to admit at first, especially if you grew up in households and schools with limited technology! Most adults these days were raised on the notion of “less is more” when it comes to screen time, however it is important to delineate between types of screen time. When used appropriately and effectively, technology in early childhood education will not only benefit the child, but will also simplify the administrative and communication tasks that educators undertake each and every day. At times, we resist change, but once we identify the potential benefits for ourselves and our children; it can shift our perspective to a large extent. We need to prepare our children for the future and set ourselves up for success in our day-to-day tasks and this may involve the use of technology in various ways, shapes, and forms!
3 Benefits of Technology
Learning Tool
Reduce Time-Consuming Administrative Work
Consistent Communication
Technology as a Learning Tool
Tablets, electronic toys, computer games, and related technologies now play a major role in delivering components of many childcare centers’ curriculum. Online educational games and developmentally appropriate software designed for early childhood education can help children develop the skills they require for future learning. It is important that children know how to use a tablet, navigate a computer system or phone, and understand touch screens so that they can use these skills later in life. Using these devices in a supervised environment can also teach children research skills and how to problem-solve. For example, there are so many amazing YouTube videos dedicated to children’s growth and development through song, physical education, and other activities. Learning to navigate online and browse websites can help develop a child’s motor skills, social skills, and cognitive skills, especially around the preschool age.
Technology to Reduce Time-Consuming Administrative Work
Technology can greatly benefit childcare educators when it comes to administrative duties and reporting. The average childcare worker spends 45 minutes per day on documentation tasks, taking valuable time away from the children in your care. With software created with childcare staff in mind, reporting time can be drastically reduced, as information can be easily entered into a tablet or mobile device; rather than recorded on paper. As well, parents love having access to all the information they need about their children in one concise, convenient, and easy-to-find place!
Technology for Consistent Communication
Platforms designed specifically for the needs of childcare educators (like HiMama!) make it simple to track everything going on in your center in real-time. When a staff member checks in, a child arrives, a child sleeps, eats, drinks, etc. it is all easily tracked in the app for shared access. Furthermore, parents appreciate real-time email communications and updates about their child’s progress. Technology like this allows educators to snap photos of the child in the learning environment and share them in real-time. These updates offer parents peace of mind and can ease their fears about missing important milestones in their child’s development, while they are apart.
Applicability
These tips and tricks are also applicable to home daycare environments, as it is just as important for children and educators to have access to technology within their physical learning environment! As childcare technology continues to progress, it will no doubt continue to be an integral part of early childhood education. The more you are able to stay at the forefront of technological advances, the easier your administrative-related work will become, the more connected you will be with your parents, and this experience will hopefully increase the available learning opportunities for the children in your center! You got this!
About HiMama
HiMama supports the success of the educators, the administration, and the enrolled families and their children by providing easy-to-use systems and resources! If you have an educational program or facility and need support with streamlining your everyday processes, improving your experience, or would like more support in managing and training your team, check out the resources from HiMama!
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About Home Day Hero
Home Day Hero’s content is enjoyed in more than 50 countries and was voted #1 by Washington Parent Magazine Parent Picks 2020. Home Day Hero was also featured in the HiMama Webinar Series, along with The Preschool Podcast. Home Day was also recently nominated in Washington Family Magazine and Washington Parent Magazine Parent Picks 2021 and 2022 for the Services/Parenting Support & Resources category and the Schools & Education/Test Prep & Tutoring categories.
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Starting in March 2020, Home Day Hero started to offer virtual Reading Camp Programs to teach children aged 3-6 the foundation skills needed to learn how to read (and write!). Prior to March of 2020, Home Day Hero did offer this program on a limited basis in-person. In December 2021, Home Day Hero started to offer limited in-person experiences for Reading Camp, however, also continued to offer a virtual option. Reading Camp registration is now open for virtual Reading Camp experiences in Summer 2022. One round of Reading Camp is equivalent to 10-hours of instruction and includes $50 in materials, the cost is $800.
Register here!
Home Day Hero has other services and programs available. Create your own adventure!