Effective
use of ICT in Early Years
During the summer term 1999, nurseries in the first
phase of the Core Skills Project were involved in
producing a document entitled Developing
Good Practice in the use of ICT in the Early Years’
Classroom. They worked closely with
staff at EdIT to produce the document, which highlights
the good ICT practice within Early Years Education in
Birmingham.
The
document includes an overview of the Core Skills
Project, case studies from the nurseries involved,
software evaluations and the use of ICT as part of the
EarlyYears curriculum.
Written
by practitioners, for practitioners in a clear, easy to
understand way, the aim of the document is to encourage
everyone to be excited by Early Years ICT, regardless of
their level of confidence or experience.
Within
our nurseries, children are taking part in activities
using ICT and technology at all levels. Children
interact with the programs on the computer to support
all areas of the curriculum and enhance their
learning. They take photographs using a digital
camera, and with adult support, they use these to make
books, notices and letters, by inserting them into
word-processing documents and adding text. After
printing the document, children can add their own
writing. All of this is high-lighted in the
document and written about from first hand
experiences. Photographs 
are used throughout the document to
illustrate the issues under discussion and to share
images of the children’s involvement with the computer
and their enthusiasm for ICT.
A
downloadable version of the document is currently in
preparation and will be available from our Downloads
page shortly.
