Assignment: Technology and Young Children

Recall the preschools you have visited and the DVD program you viewed last week that featured Robert Recio's preschool classroom. Consider all that you have observed about how computers-combined with well-chosen software-can be a valuable resource for building early literacy skills. As early childhood professionals work with families to support literacy learning, it is critically important that they select appropriate software and online resources for preschool children to use at home. This week's readings on technology and young children provide guidance on using computers in developmentally appropriate ways.

Review the three technology-related articles in the Learning Resources this week. Also visit at least one recommended technology website listed under the Optional Resources to look for additional information and insights you would share with preschool families.

Post your responses to the following:

• Explain how you would recommend that a family with a preschool-age child use a computer as a developmentally appropriate learning resource to support early literacy at home. Cite references to support your views.

• Explain a technology-related caution that you would pass along to the family, and cite your reasoning and source(s).

• Course Text: Barone, D., & Mallette, M. (2013). Best practices in early literacy instruction. New York: Guilford Press.

• Chapter 1, "Parent Involvement Supporting Early Literacy Achievement: Best Practices for Bridging the Home and School Environments," pp. 3-21

• Article: National Association for the Education of Young Children. (1996). Technology and young children-ages 3 through 8: A position statement of the National Association for the Education of Young Children [Electronic version]. Retrieved fromhttp://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/PSTECH98.PDF. Technology and Young Children, Ages 3 through 8: A Position Statement of the National Association for the Education of Young Children by NAEYC. Copyright 1996 by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Reproduced with permission of the National Association for the Education of Young Children via Copyright Clearance Center.

• Article: Northwest Educational Technology Consortium. (n.d.).Technology in Early Childhood Education:

Finding the Balance. Retrieved, fromhttp://www-tc.pbskids.org/island/brochure/powerpoint/VanScoterTech_EC.pdf

• Article: Tsantis, L. A., Bewick, C. J., & Thouvenelle, S. (2003, November). Examining some common myths about computer use in the early years [Electronic version]. Young Children. Retrieved fromhttp://www.naeyc.org/files/yc/file/200311/CommonTechnoMyths.pdf. Examining Some Common Myths About Computer Use in the Early Years. Beyond the Journal: Young Children on the Web ONLINE by Linda A. Tsantis, Cynthia J. Bewick, and Suzanne Thouvenelle. Copyright 2003 by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Reproduced with permission of the National Association for the Education of Young Children via Copyright Clearance Center.

• Course Text: Vukelich, C. (2016). Helping young children learn language and literacy, birth through kindergarten (4th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Education.

o Chapter 3, "Family Literacy and Language Development" (pp. 46-69)

o Chapter 9, "Assessing Young Children's Language and Early Literacy: Finding Out What They Know and Can Do" (pp. 170-192)

Optional Resources

• Website:Earlychildhood NEWS: The Role of Technology in Early Childhood Programs

http://www.earlychildhoodnews.com/earlychildhood/article_view.aspx?ArticleID=302

• Website: NAEYC Technology & Young Children Interest Forum: Technology at Home

http://www.techandyoungchildren.org/children.html

• Web Article: Exchange: Technology in Early Childhood Education

http://www.childcareexchange.com/resources/view_article.php?article_id=5015417&keyword_id=&page=1

APA format and all orginal work.