Technology In Early Years

Technology is such a fast growing phenomena that research within this field is finding it hard to keep up with the ever changing digital world. This is especially true for technology and children in Early Years. Although, the Early Years foundation stage framework (DfE, 2008) suggests, children should select and use technology for particular purposes, there are no guidelines as to length of screen time or whether technology should be given as a free choice activity. Parents in this study believed technology is not able to offer children skills that cannot be obtained through other play activities in the setting. They suggested that children have too much screen time and that by giving children free access to technology use, children would not …show more content…
There is a focus with some researchers on young children in Early Years being computer literate (Plowman et al, 2010), as it is believed that children need to be able to use digital devices for their future education and even working lives. As technology is within most, if not all workplaces, then it most definitely would be an advantage to be able to use technology, but as for children in Early Years needing to be computer literate at their age for their future lives is debatable. Furthermore, looking at children's future working lives does not take account of the child as a social actor in their own right.

Parents demonstrated concerns at children's level of technology use. This could be an indication of parents understanding that there is a lack of knowledge and research, which may give clearer answers to how technology may affect young children. As the literature from this study suggests children at this stage of development need to have a hands on …show more content…
Returning to the questions posed at the beginning of this research, it is possible to say that technology does contribute to children's learning by practitioners guiding children in their understanding that knowledge can be obtained from technology and giving children the opportunity to develop their operational skills with digital devices. Although, children can access iPads and laptop, technology should not be given as free access continually. This research has produced many questions in need of further investigation, such as the affects of technology on young children in the Early Years. The content and amount of time children are using technology is of concern and when providing apps and software for young children, there is a need for careful consideration and investigation to ensure they are 'educational' (Rich, 2005). There needs to be consideration as to language and speech being used with children, while they use technology and encourage children to use digital devices in groups, supported by a