ED438926 PS028344
Title: Computers and Young Children. ERIC Digest.
Author(s): Haugland, Susan W.
Author Affiliation: ERIC Clearinghouse on Elementary and Early
Childhood Education, Champaign, IL.(BBB34257)
Pages: 4
Publication Date: March 2000
Notes: Condensed from "What Role Should Technology Play in Young
Childrens' Learning?" by Susan Haugland, see CIJE EJ 597 728.
Sponsoring Agency: Office of Educational Research and Improvement
(ED), Washington, DC. (EDD00036)
Contract No: ED-99-CO-0020
Report No: EDO-PS-00-4
Available from: EDRS Price MF01/PC01 Plus Postage.
Availability: ERIC Clearinghouse on Elementary and Early Childhood
Education, University of Illinois, 51 Gerty Drive, Champaign, IL
61820-7469. Tel: 800-583-4135 (Toll Free); e-mail:
ericece@uiuc.edu. For full text: http://ericece.org/pubs/
digests.html.
Language: English
Document Type: ERIC product (071); ERIC digests in full text (073)
Geographic Source: U.S.; Illinois
Journal Announcement: RIEAUG2000
Whether we use technology with young children--and if so, how--are
critical issues facing early childhood educators and parents. This
Digest points out that many researchers do not recommend that children
under 3 years old use computers. The Digest also notes that many
educators use computers with young children in ways that are
developmentally inappropriate. However, developmentally appropriate
ways to use computers with 3- and 4-year-olds are different from the
ways computers are used in kindergarten and the primary grades.
Research has shown that the cognitive and social benefits of providing
computers to young children vary depending upon the kind of computer
experiences offered. The Digest suggests, as a first step to
integrating computers in classrooms, organizing a study group of all
the individuals who have expressed interest in children using
computers, then summarizing the benefits of using computers with young
children, and discussing goals for the year, including the cost of
computers and teacher training. The Digest identifies four critical
components of teacher training: practical experience, workshops,
models and mentors, and supervisory follow-up. (Contains 13
references.) (LPP)
Descriptors: Computer Literacy; *Computer Uses in Education;
*Developmentally Appropriate Practices; Early Childhood Education;
*Teaching Methods; Young Children
Identifiers: ERIC Digests
