ECEC Author, Consultant, STEAM Researcher, Lecturer, CPD Trainer, Podcaster
Technology in ECEC
Digital & Unplugged
Introducing technology into curricular activities with preschool children does not need to be limited to computers and tablets. On this page you will find links to some practical ideas for incorporating digital and unplugged technology into your ECEC curriculum.
A useful resource from Early Childhood Australia describing a 5 step framework for using robotics in ECEC to support the social and emotional development of children.
Videos of 4 Irish myths and legends told through ISL sign language. A project by the Irish Deaf Society. Stories include:
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Oisín in Tír na n-Óg
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The Salmon of Knowledge
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The Crock of Gold
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The Children of Lír
Toontastic is an app which will allow you to collaborate with children to design, animate, narrate and star in a cartoon story which can be written by the children themselves. It could also then be shared with parents!
I came across these wonderful Tape Blocks for experimenting with circuits and electronics. They are "kids EVA foam blocks wrapped in conductive tape with electronic components inserted on top or underneath" (image: www.tapeblock.com).
Use Google Drawings for children to collaborate together with their families or perhaps with another ECEC setting on a project. Families could share information on their family tree to include pictures of relatives or images of parents as children etc. If you engage with another ECEC facility, anywhere in the world, you could collaborate on cultural projects or share information on their lives and learning experiences for example. Simply create the template and share the link with your collaborators.
These are fantastic resources which are small and magnetic robotic cubes which children combine in a variety of ways to influence how the blocks behave and respond. Note: image above is not of Cubelets but click on the link to go to the manufacturer website when you can see them in action.
A collection of simple and affordable ideas to incorporate technology within the ECEC curriculum linked to the 4 themes of Aistear. Access here.
The Aistear Síolta practice guide have some useful and downloadable tip sheets for supporting children's STEM learning experiences from birth to 6 years old.