Technology in Early Childhood

If you spend time around enough early educators you’ll get lots of different opinions on whether technology has a place in early childhood education. Some providers embrace technology and have streamlined their enrollment and parent communication, while others still rely on pen and paper. Some programs have ipads for student use, some are dead-set against it. 

No matter where you stand on technology use in the preschool years, some great benefits come along with tech in the early childhood classroom. We’re breaking down how technology is transforming early childhood and how some programs are using it to strengthen their programs.

Technology makes life easier for providers

For a long time, preschool and childcare providers did everything on paper. Enrollment, waitlists, child files, and daily updates to parents were handwritten or typed. This kind of work can be tedious and time-consuming if you are a small in-home daycare or don't have an administrative staff. 

Luckily, many apps and websites are making life easier for providers, so they can focus on what they do best—providing early care and education for the families they serve. 

Technology has made running an early childhood program easier and more efficient, from marketing solutions like Winnie to apps that allow photo sharing and keeping track of child milestones. 

Technology makes life easier for parents

Similarly to the way tech has made early childhood programs more efficient for providers, it also benefits parents. For example, parents can register and enroll their children online, set up auto-pay for tuition, and view the details of their child's day all in one place. 

Technology allows busy parents to connect more with their child's day-to-day care. Some programs even offer secure webcam access, where parents can check in on their children from their phones or computer. In addition, it helps streamline communication between parents and providers, which is a win-win for everyone. 

Technology in the preschool classroom

Elementary school has become more and more challenging over the years. Children are expected to know more at younger ages, and the curriculum moves quickly. 

Many elementary schools use iPads or other devices in the classroom, so children familiar with using them may have a leg-up when starting school. 

The AAP recommends limiting screen time before age two and using it sparingly during preschool. We know that children learn best by interacting with the world around them, but high-quality media and tech use is a great way to enhance what children are learning. 

If screen time is used intentionally (we're not talking about just plopping children in front of YouTube), there are many ways it can benefit preschoolers. 

• Differentiation: There is a huge range of what is considered "typical" in early childhood. Some children may know all their letters and be reading, while others are just dipping their toes into the ABCs. Supporting children where they are with games and apps that are targeted to their individual needs allows teachers to differentiate their instruction. 
• Culture & Language: Technology allows an early childhood teacher to provide experiences for children that may not otherwise be possible. They can provide exposure to a second language or celebrate each child's culture without needing to speak it themselves. 
• Music & Movement: There are many fun videos online and apps that make incorporating music and movement into your routine so much easier. Providers are able to expose children to different music genres and keep movement activities fresh and new. 
• Unlocking future careers: The children born today don't have the experience of growing up without the internet. Babies know how to operate their parent's iPhones— technology seems hard-wired into their development. If your child is interested in technology, encourage the interest! They may wind up becoming an engineer or developing their own app someday. 
• Friendship & socialization: One of the concerns about technology in early childhood is that it can take time away from social interaction with peers. When used the right way, technology can be a tool to help children collaborate and work together. Interactive games like Osmo can help level the playing field for children, allowing children with special needs and their typically developing peers to play together.

Without technology, an educator is limited to their own knowledge, experience, and location. When working with young children, it's great to follow their lead and interests when developing curriculum. Preschoolers are more likely to participate and engage in lessons and activities when they are interested in the topic.  

For example, if the whole class is super interested in learning about lions and there are no local zoos and the teacher has no background knowledge on lions, it would be difficult for the teacher to tap into that interest. 

By bringing tech into the classroom, the children can visit a virtual zoo, watch a live stream of lions and even Zoom with a zookeeper. Technology opens up the world for children and allows them to experience things that weren't possible for previous generations of children. 

Like everything with children, balance is key. When screen time is used as a learning tool, teachers and providers can provide richer experiences for the children in their care. 

A healthy balance 

The AAP recently relaxed their screentime guidelines for children as they explore the impacts technology has on development and the benefits of its use. The main takeaway is that as long as technology is not displacing things like conversation, physical activity, and time outdoors, it can be a valuable tool in the lives of young children.

"Screen time" is a concept that each family needs to find their level of comfort around. With healthy limits in place and an adult there to facilitate, engaging with high-quality media can help children develop new skills and support their curiosity.