Why is Technology So Important in Early Childhood Education?

A follow up to our project with the Washington Heights Y.

When speaking about the impact of technology in education, we often look first at grades K through 12. However, this focus leaves out a key group of students for which technology is just as vital: young children.

For kids up to the age of five, early exposure to the technology that makes the world go round is becoming more and more vital to the educational development of these children. However, besides just learning how to use technology itself, new technology can both strengthen the traditional learning process and increase access to education for all children.

The first advantage of technology in early childhood education is the adaptability of online tools, vital to teaching core academic skills. For example, students who breeze through an online activity can be switched to a more advanced level, while students who are struggling to answer questions correctly can review the material they answered incorrectly or be redirected to another activity that is more suited to their educational level. Compare this to packets and worksheets, which, once printed out, cannot be adjusted and often are a "one size fits all" lesson.

Second, technology provides an early introduction to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) by allowing students to access resources they otherwise would not be able to. Whether it is a virtual visit to a museum (now more important than ever) or observing the underlying logic behind STEM topics through simulations and games, technology provides countless opportunities to learn STEM without leaving the classroom. Students can then test their new knowledge with interactive material, another benefit of the use of technology over most paper materials.

Third, not all kids, especially when it comes to younger students, naturally love school or learning. Luckily, most students do enjoy using technology, and this is something that early childhood educators can use to their advantage when it comes to engaging students in the learning process. Through fun games and activities related to the material the students need to learn and just the excitement of using technology itself, educators can engage and excite children in the classroom, an ability that can only serve to help educators deliver the best education they can.

Finally, technology opens three doors to learning opportunities for young children who might not have had access without it.

The first door educational technology opens is to low-income communities, by, ironically, closing the "Digital Use Divide." This divide occurs when some children use technology actively while others primarily use it passively, namely in lower-income areas. For these "passive users," namely children who may not have access to devices or the internet at home, early childhood settings provide opportunities and lessons from mentors on how to use these tools more actively. This "active use" can eventually result in more positive attitudes toward learning, improved self-esteem and self-confidence, and increased kindergarten readiness skills, all as a result of the use of technology in the classroom.

The technology also opens a second door, for children with disabilities. With assisted learning programs, such as text to speech and audiobooks, students with disabilities can become more involved in the learning process and obtain access to all of the resources they need to succeed. Furthermore, this accessibility is not limited to those with sensory or physical disabilities; it also includes individuals with learning or other developmental disabilities. Technology provides early intervention and capabilities for special education, thus allowing educators to best help developmentally disabled students from an early age.

Finally, educational technology opens a third door, this time for young dual language learners. For these students, digital resources can support language skills development in both their second language as well as English, instead of only focusing on one. For example, educators can use digital tools to provide materials with translations in both languages to improve comprehension and communication. In addition, by focusing on listening and speaking skills, oral language development for each language can be enhanced with speech-recording and playback features. When used appropriately and sensitively, technology can adapt to help meet the needs of dual language learners as individuals, benefiting their education as a whole.

To sum up, technology plays a large role in every part of the learning process, including the often-overlooked period before kindergarten. The advantages of technology and the access to education provided by it, are vital for students of all ages but especially for younger students. Knowing how important technology can be, Philanthropy4Technology is committed to closing this divide for all students, old or young, one project at a time.