"This book is an excellent resource for gaining understanding about the fundamental principles of ICT in the Foundation Stage curriculum... [The] principles of good practice in this book will not be outdated by new products or trends. The book is a well-balanced blend of theory and application. It has certainly helped to provoke and resolve ideas about the use of ICT in our settings." - Nursery World This book helps readers understand how very young children (from birth to six) develop an early awareness, and subsequently develop their knowledge, skills and understandings of information and communication technologies (ICTs). The rapid growth of ICT has prompted concerns among parents, educators and policy-makers over the suitability of many educational applications, and electronic toys, for young children. However, evidence is presented to show that the use of ICT by young children is compatible with the principles of a developmentally appropriate curriculum (DAC). In fact the authors argue that used imaginatively, many applications of ICT can make a significant and unique contribution to children's social and cognitive development. This is a significant book for students, parents,carers, teachers, and other professionals who want to provide a rich learning environment in education, and in teaching and supervising research in the early years.

"This thought-provoking book demonstrates that the application of technology in the delivery of the curriculum is so much more than this and should give early year’s educators confidence and encouragement to develop their own ideas in using ICT in innovative and imaginative ways." Lynn Kennington, Early Education newsletter How can computers and other ICT applications be most effectively used to support learning in early years settings? Why is it important that young children use ICT in ways which are playful, creative and explorative? What research has been carried out about young children using computers and ICT, and what does this tell us? ICT in the Early Years carefully considers the potential of ICT to provide opportunities for young children to learn through playful and creative activities, examining research and practice in relation to the educational uses of ICT with young children. The book raises important issues about teaching in the early years using ICT, such as giving pupils control, co-operative working, access and assessment. In addition, it: Recounts recent research evidence Provides practical ideas for early years teachers Provokes debate about the future of ICT in early years education The book’s focus is on research outcomes, viewed through discussion of practical classroom approaches, with the pupil viewed as a competent learner and assessor. Emphasis is placed on creative and playful aspects of ICT, with the child as an active agent authoring, experimenting, and creating, rather than passively receiving. ICT in the Early Years is essential reading for teachers and teachers in training, and is also of use to other associated professionals, such as classroom assistants, home educators and nursery teachers. Parents with an interest in the use of technology in education will also find the book of genuine interest.

A step-by-step guide on how to teach young children a variety of ICT in a meaningful and creative way. This title, written by ICT experts in the early years, Prof. John Siraj-Blatchford and Dr. Alex Morgan, is a step-by-step guide on how to teach children under 8 a variety of ICT. This book is designed to be easy to follow by even the most technophobic of readers and contains practical advice on the following: * How to create engaging and creative activities for children in the early years using a range of ICT * A guide to the different types of ICT available, from Bee-Bots to white boards * How to take ICT out of the classroom, with activities to use in outdoor play sessions * How to use ICT in role play to promote children's creativity and imagination * What ICT skills the EYFS and Welsh Foundation Phase require early years practitioners to deliver * Ideas and case studies on best practice in using sustained shared thinking with young children This is a must-buy for anyone wanting meaningful and child-friendly ways of approaching ICT with children under 8.

Helps readers understand how very young children (from birth to six) develop an early awareness, and subsequently develop their knowledge, skills and understandings of information and communication technologies (ICTs). This book is useful for students, parents, carers, teachers, and other professionals.

Young children are born into a digital world and it is not unusual to see preschool children intuitively swiping screens and confidently pressing buttons. There is much debate about the impact of the increased access to technology on young children’s health and wellbeing with claims that it damages their social skills and emotional development. This timely new textbook examines how developments in technology, particularly mobile and touch screen technology, have impacted on children’s lives and how when used appropriately it can support all aspects of their development. Clearly linking theory and research to everyday practice, the book offers guidance on: The role of technology in the early years curriculum Developing young children’s understanding of safe and responsible use of technology The role of the adult within digital play activities Using technology to enhance and develop young children’s creativity Technology and language acquisition Featuring a wide range of case studies and examples to show how the ideas described can be put into practice, this is essential reading for all early years students and practitioners that want to know how they can harness technology in a meaningful way to support young children’s learning and development.

"It is rare for any research methodology book to cover so much ground, and contain so many different kinds of resources between two covers." Journal of Education for Teaching "As a guide for new and inexperienced researchers, it is second to none." British Journal of Educational Studies Doing Early Childhood Research demystifies the research process. An international team of experienced researchers shows how to select methods which are appropriate for working with young children in early childhood settings or at home. They provide a thorough introduction to the most common research methods used in the early childhood context. Reflecting the multidisciplinary nature of much early childhood research, they cover a wide range of conventional and newer methods including observation, small surveys, interviews with adults and children, action research, ethnography and quasi-experimental approaches. They explain clearly how to set up research projects which are theoretically grounded, well-designed, rigorously analysed, feasible and ethically based. Each chapter is illustrated with examples. Widely used by early childhood researchers in many countries, this second edition of Doing Early Childhood Research has been fully revised. It includes new chapters on beginning research, mixed methods research, interviewing children, and working with Indigenous children, and also new case study chapters. It is essential reading for novice, initial career and experienced researchers. Contributors Maria Assunção Folque, Sue Atkinson-Lopez, Mindy Blaise, Liane Brow, Margaret Coady, Audrey D’Souza Juma, Anne Edwards, Sue Emmett, Susan Grieshaber, Linda Harrison, Alan Hayes, Patrick Hughes, Glenda Mac Naughton, Karen Martin, Sharne A. Rolfe, Iram Siraj-Blatchford, John Siraj-Blatchford, Louise Taylor, Teresa Vasconcelos

This book provides a range of insights into pupils’ learning relevant to the use of information and communications technology (ICT) in primary science. The contributors, who are all experts in their field, draw on practical and theoretical perspectives and: Provide specific examples of software and hardware use in the classroom Consider innovative and creative uses of technology for pupils engaged in science activity in the primary and early years Indicate future possibilities for the use of computer-based technologies Key themes running through the book include: setting the use of ICT in primary science within theoretical perspectives on learning and on pedagogy; the importance of using ICT in developing talking and listening opportunities in the science classroom; and the potential of learning through ICT enhanced science investigations. Contemporary issues such as inclusion, creativity and collaborative learning are also examined, making Teaching and Learning Primary Science with ICT essential reading for students in science education, and for teachers who want to use new technology to improve learning in their science classrooms.