Computers are merely one of many tools in a developmentally appropriate program. Computer is also known as the CPU, with software and hardware programs in it. When talking about technology or ICT, people always think of computer because it is a most popular technology tool nowadays to help on children’s learning. In our centre, computer and its use was introduced to children age three to five during our mat time. The children were asked what a computer was, most of them pointed to the monitor. Although the children have seen computers a lot, but they still need to know what it is for and how they use. 
Computers have resulted in introducing young children to technology at a very early age. Computer technology has the potential to engage children in exploration, experimentation, problem solving, and creative thinking with the appropriate software (Ministry of Education, 1996). It empowers young children and totally immerses them in their joy of learning. This technology tool can be used as a social activity with children’s language, learning and working together, and it provides boulevard for children to use their multiple intelligences. Tsantis, Bewick, and Thornton, (2003) viewed computers as a way to revolutionize the future of education. Authors believe that discovery-oriented interactions with computers enhance learning by encouraging children to explore interests in arts, music, or industrial through technology and mathematics. Open-ended software at the computer such as drawing and painting programs, encourage children to collaborate, solve problems, however can enhance children’s creativity, mathematical thinking and critical thinking. For example, Wright, (2003) found that software allowing the creation of pictures with geometric. Social interactions at the computer showed that children prefer to work with friends, rather than alone, and that they displayed more positive emotions and interests in the activity when working together.
Drawing and music making software programs are most appropriate at their age, and will allow children to explore and to develop awareness of the computer capabilities. Simple word processing software should be added as well to encourage young children to use and expand the written language skills they are acquiring in their curriculum activities. It will also provide an opportunity for children to express themselves in written language where their developing motor skills limit expression with traditional paper and pencils. In terms of cognitive development, software has been shown to help children with certain memorised skills like counting and sorting (Copley, 2010). Young children are surrounded by opportunities to develop and use emergent literacy skills – speaking, listening, reading and writing, and at almost any opportunities, young children especially three to five years, will spontaneously engage in such emergent literacy activities. Including computer art activities in the curriculum may very well attract children who would have little interest in traditional art
The positive impact that computers have on young children is dependent on the types of experiences that children have with the computer. Computers in the classroom should be provide concrete experiences and children should have free access. Children should have control of their learning experiences, making decisions about the purpose of their work, and the software they will use, as well as making choices about how to proceed through a specific piece of software (Fleer & Jane, 2011).
The teachers monitor the children activities and intervene when needed to pose questions and provide supports. Some general guidelines for computer use in early childhood setting can be established from the existing literature. These guidelines can assist teachers in creating a structure for computer use and in developing computer activities (Talay-Ongan & Ap, 2005). It also outlines the role that teachers should play as children at each age interact with classroom computers. 
Bewick,C.J., Thouvenelle, S. & Tsantis, L. A. (2003). Examining some common myths about computer use in the early years. Young children, 58(1), 1-9.
Fleer, M., & Jane,B. (2011). Design and technology for children. French’s Forest,
Australia: Pearson Australia.
Ministry of Education. (1996). Te Whāriki, he whaariki mätauranga mo nga mokopuna ö Aotearoa: Early childhood curriculum. Wellington, New Zealand: Learning Media.
Talay-Ongan, A., & Ap, E. A. (Eds.). (2005). Child development and teaching
young children. Southbank, Victoria: Thompson Social Science
Press.
Tsantis, L., Bewick, C., & Thornton, S. (2003). Examining some common myths about computers in the early years. Young Children on the Web, November 2003, 1-9.
Hi, You made some really interesting points with the literature about computers and their impact on children in the early years. Computers I find are such a great tool, for exploring, for helping with literacy, maths, extending knowledge in all areas and opens children up to opportunities that they may not get at home as not everyone can afford to have a computer.
ReplyDeleteI have 2 minds about computer use in the early years, i find it is good for some areas but I know that a center i went to for my practicum children were on it all the time, some children dominated it more then others on a regular basis too. I find children need limited time on such technology as it can lead up to being depremental for their health.
As early childhood educators I think we need to provide children with appropriate material and chances to explore different interests such as looking up about elephants for example, extending their knowledge, it is also a good skill for them to have as they move to school as a lot of learning children do is through the use of the computer.
I know my son uses the laptop at school a lot for games to do with maths and literacy and also his "reports" or progress reports are online so parent - teacher conferences actually involve him navigating the computer to show me the different progress he is making in the different areas while his teacher comments as he is going through it to me. I feel their are both positives and negatives but if you provide valid learning experiences like stated in the literature then i feel that this can benefit children.
At my centre we have a laptop that we can't use anymore, however it still does the basics, we hooked it up to a microscope so children can put things under the microscope and the image that they see actually comes up on the laptop full screen. Which is a great learning experience for children
We also hook it up to our protector if we find interesting things that we know children we be interested in, such as things on youtube like ballet dancing that children are into, or a small documentary about the life cycle of a butterfly for example. Computers are so versatile and have lots of different ways we can use them.
We also have old computers that our families don't want anymore that children actually take apart with screwdrivers, which children really enjoy as they get to see what the inside of a computer actually looks like! I find finding new and exciting ways for children to extend their knowledge of technology is such a great thing, it gives them a headstart into life.
Great blog , very informative with lots of relevant literature added, it would of been great to hear about things you do with children in relation to computers. Don't forget to post a photo to go with your blog :)
HI Faaea..Yeeeeah, this will be my last comment on your blog darl.
ReplyDeleteIt was motivated to read about how the use of computers in the early childhood centres empower the children. And I think it is not only children are developing but us as adults and teachers. Talking from my experience, I was a person who was also developed from the using of computers in the centre. I learn to be computer literate and experience a lot when I work and use the computer. So I believe if it useful for the development of the children, it will be also useful for our development as students and teachers.
But I believed what we need to develop further is our understanding of computers; I think that we need to gain more knowledge about the using of these technology. As I have seen in the moving forward and the coming of a variety of technology, therefore I believe we as teachers and students need to update and be more knowledgeable about the use of computers.
I suggest the developing of our knowledge because if we have more knowledge about the use of computer, we will also pass down to children and the children will become successful computer learners and be able further their awareness in the use of technology.
Tumeke work Faaea..good luck on your blogging sis.
Hi Faaea
ReplyDeleteGreat to read the important of using computer in children’s learning as you define. Yes of course it is one of the relevant digital technologies that the educations system currently used to express and explain children’s learning. Looking at this young age of first five of the child and already start to develop skills in computing is bringing up some interesting comments of what children can produce to reveal and process their findings. Computer also helps the children to recognize letters and counting numbers by using the keyboards.
Unfortunately, children can be minimizing from using the computer in terms of their eye sights to avoid distressing in their health. Compute can good and bad in some ways but with a supervision of a teacher or parents will help children to achieve what they really want to learn from it. Computer is a helpful tool to speed children’s finding in their activity and learning.
Interesting blog and nice photos, Well done!
Malo lelei Faaea for the last blog. What are wonderful experience that you get from computers. I agree with you that computers are merely one of many tools in a developmentally appropriate program. That's right when talking about technology or ICT, people always think of computer because it is a most popular technology tool nowadays to help on children’s learning.Introducing parts of the computers to the children is great. Children have to know each components and their functions to the computer and its relevant to us.
ReplyDeleteGreat that you considered the positive impact that computers have on young children of the types of experiences that children have with the computer. Children should have control of their learning experiences yeah right but its our job is to scaffold their learning and guide them to make decisions about the purpose of their work, and the software they will use, as well as making choices about how to proceed through a specific task.