Early Childhood Technology

[Matthew Valia]

Watching the debates and the news lately, universal pre-K seems like it will become a reality. In NJ, it will be in place next year.

Does anyone have experience with instructional / education technology from PreK - 3 grade?

[Suzanne Montaperto]

I have some limited experience with this (I used to teach K) Plus I have a 6 and a 4 year old. www.starfall.com, www.pbskids.org and www.noggin.com are a few great early childhood resouces. There are many programs out there geared toward this demographic!

My daughters are quite proficient with the computer.....even my 4 year old knows how to find noggin...can easily navigate her way to log into webkinzs.......

[Matthew Valia]

Thank you Suzanne. These are great websites. I am also wondering about technology integration practices in the PreK classroom besides the web and computers; although it would be great to have 16 iMacs on little desks with bean bag chairs in front of them. I know systems like leapfrog exist and there are a lot of technology toys at this level as well.

[Jim McDermott]

Also check out Headsprout and Earobics

[Matthew Valia]

Jacob Gutnicki from the Knowledge Network LSO also gave me some good ideas:

This is a great question. There are no shortage of software options as well as technology solutions for early childhood; especially in the area of Early Literacy. Plato Learning and its playstations are pretty good, as is Lexia, Kid Pix, Dr. Suess CD Rom series, as well as other software package. Having said that, the best software is ironically out of print; e.g. Living Books series, MS Magic School Bus, Baily series, and other titles. Final thought- In the end, any software you use should be tested by the instructor prior to instruction, so that instruction can be planned appropriately.

[Amy]

I teach K-3rd also. For PreK, you can use the program KidPix. The first project, you can have them make name tags. Just click and drag the letters of their name. Then you can have them play SpongeBob Typing (Depends on whether they know the alphabet or not). They can play the easy games (Glove World Games) where they can find the letters one by one and type it on the keyboard. This is a very fun game. Then, you can go back to KidPix and show them how to draw a self portrait. Show them how to use shapes and lines to draw an easy and simple self portrait. Hope this makes sense.

For Kindergarten, I use Pixie. I teach them how to use shapes, lines and text boxes to create a self portrait. That's the first project. Then use Kidspiration to make a web (community web, all about me web, etc) In between the programs, you can teach them typing by using SpongeBob Typing.

First Grade, use Pixie to create a family slideshow. Show them how to draw 3 pictures and play it as a slideshow. Then, similar to K, use SpongeBob Typing. I teach them how to use 10 fingers to type (place their fingers on ASDFJKL;) then kidspiration, make a harder web.
2nd grade, kidspiration, MS Word, Google Earth, SpongeBob Typing
3rd Grade, Internet Safety, Search engines for kids, Powerpoint, MS Word

Hope it makes sense.