The education sector has gone through remarkable developments over the years. Different branches of education have been introduced to guarantee sustainable education for all. Early childhood Education (ECE) is a type of education acquired in the early stages of childhood. According to the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), nursery education or ECE relates to the teaching of a child from birth up to the age of eight.
ECE or nursery education has been growing over the years thanks to the desires of many nations to make primary education a norm in the global platform. It has gone on to become a widespread public policy concern and many nations have worked hard to fund preschool education. Preschool has become an important part of every child’s development.
Many people have gone on to pursue ECE, and the number of accredited child care professionals known as Early Childhood Educators has risen over the years. Essentially, the advent of technology has greatly impacted the growth of ECE or nursery education. The desire of all members of the society to be well-acquainted with latest technologies has foreseen the growth of ECE and the education sector in general.
Thanks to better government policies, favorable learning settings, and ever-evolving people’s roles in the society, it has become easy to embrace the latest technologies in the education sector. With this in mind, it is wise to look at the many ways early childhood professionals are using technology and how significant it is in a child’s development.
Why it is Not Easy to Avoid Technology in Early Childhood Learning
A lot of debates have been gracing the education sector regarding the effectiveness of technology in early childhood learning. Many have been wondering whether technology introduction and use will positively impact the education sector. A lot of concerns have been based on incidents such as whether advent of technology in education sector will;
- Increase academic performance
- Improve learning skills
- Reduce rate and level of illiteracy
- Reduce racial academic performance divide and
- Make lives of educators easier.
Many who doubt whether technology has a place in early childhood learning have been on the wrong side of technological development. Majority have been proven wrong by the introduction of impeccable early childhood learning programs that have effectively met the objectives and goals of these education programs.
Technology has greatly impacted ECE due to the factor that the involved stakeholders have been able to figure out whether technology is developmentally suitable. Educators, parents and preschool administrations have worked hard to ascertain whether technology is consistent with how a child develops and learns new things.
At the preschool stages, many children are developing their sense of creativity and initiative. If properly introduced to the right and suitable technologies, it is effective and less demanding to develop reliable and better cognitive skills. Many early childhood learning institutions have introduced varied ways to embrace technology.
Computers have been introduced into classrooms and children have varied learning resources to embrace. It has also become easy for educators to enlighten children. daycare apps have been used to create learning tools for children. Computers are fully integrated into the learning processes and children are introduced to endless tests, photo illustrations, and can access different learning internet sites. Most educators use computers, whiteboards, and tables to share ideas, and information in the classrooms.
Significance of Technology in Early Childhood Education
Use of technology in preschool settings is increasing on a daily basis. Early childhood educators are adopting new technical devices each day. They have also been working hard to make sure their pupils can develop new skills and learn how to effectively use these devices.
The way early childhood learning institutions are using technology matters a lot. An educator has to figure out how to embrace the available learning technologies and devices. Tutors should also be properly trained, and supported with enough resources for learning institutions to enjoy the importance of technology.
With this in mind, here are the benefits of using technology in early childhood learning or education. Have a look
Encourages Preschool Willingness and Cognitive Development
Learning is fun and enjoyable process if the learners are introduced to better ways of gathering information, understanding and executing ideas in classrooms and at home. With proper use of technology in schools, children have prospects to gain necessary skills.
It has also become more interesting to learn, and learners willingly attend classes to develop their cognitive skills. Learners have also gained new ways of reasoning and handling classwork.
Improve Child Learning and Growth
New learning tools are available for educators and learners. Tutors can use these tools to help children grasp everything taught in the classroom, and embrace the new information in learning new things.
There are software that children can use to develop skills they need for future learning. Learners will also get a chance to improve their key competencies and develop the skills necessary for early literacy growth.
Opportunity to Develop Talents and Skills
One key objective of early childhood learning is to help children recognize their talents and use them in near future. Educators can use technology to help learners realize their talents and acquire new skills.
Children will be exposed to different platforms and activities they will love with time. For instance, tutors and parents can introduce children to activities such as music, writing, and many other interests that have been made effective by advent of technology.
Improved Communication and Connections
Effective communication is imperative between parents, educators, and children. Through technology, educators can successfully communicate with parents and keep them informed about their children’s progress and play great roles in their children’s developmental initiatives.
Through technology, educators can also come up with reliable means to communicate and share more with learners. In addition, learners can use social media to interact with tutors, fellow learners, and their parents on diverse academic-related issues and general perspectives about life.
Improved Workflow Efficiency
Technology improves the roles of the administration in different early childhood learning institutions. Administrative roles have been made easy and effective thanks to better technologies.
It has become easy to monitor learners’ activities, record their undertakings, manage children registrations and track their financial records.
Time to Embrace Daycare Applications
With the many benefits of technology in early childhood education, parents and educators should also take advantage of daycare apps. These apps offer parents a means to save time when following up their children’s’ development progress. Tutors can also spend less time reporting on learners’ progress and undertakings.
Daycare apps also increase satisfaction among parents and educators knowing that a learner is making paramount development. A daycare app will also make parents and tutors stand out from those who are not using similar platforms. However, parents and educators should pick a daycare app that is secure, offers unlimited storage, and compatible with android and iOS operating devices for efficient use.