This is a lengthy but really interesting draft paper disussing the impact, appropriate choices and uses for technology in early childhood settings. I like it because the authors are really careful to note that though technology is not going away, it should be carefully selected and evaluated for each individual age level, and not ever considered a replacement for creative play, conversations, social interactions and other critical aspects of child development and learning. I'm curious about what you think.
It is the position of NAEYC and the Fred Rogers Center that technology and interactive media are learning tools that, when used in intentional and developmentally appropriate ways and in conjunction with other traditional tools and materials, can support the development and learning of young children.
http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/PSTECH98.PDF
(NAEYC is the National Association for the Education of Young Children)
I found this article to be very well written and researched. Some of the information is not new. We know that children coming from disadvantaged homes have less opportunity to use computers, have access to their own books and may fall through the cracks at school. On the other side of that issue are the teachers who are having more and more demands placed upon them from educators, parents and new regulations each year. Technology is very important in our world today and the place to start is early childhood education. I hope there is a way for the teachers to get the support and training they need to be able to make good decisions about how to incorporate this into the classroom for every level of learner.
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