Use of Technology in Supporting Young Children
Technology can be utilized within early childhood settings to enhance children’s development and access to natural learning opportunities or participation in the general education curriculum. Of particular importance is the use of assistive and augmentative communication tools and environmental control devices. The following websites offer more information about the use of assistive technology in early childhood settings.
PACER Center
PACER Center is a parent training and information center for families of children
and youth with all disabilities from birth through 21 years old. Many of the resources
available through PACER are helpful for educators.
The following brochure provides an overview of simple inexpensive devices that can
assist in communication. PDF
The following fact sheet provides information about assistive technology for infants,
toddlers, and young children with disabilities. PDF
The following fact sheet provides information about how computer technology can be
used when working with young children with disabilities. PDF
The following fact sheet provides information about switch activities that promote
classroom inclusion for young children. PDF
National Center to Improve Practice in Special Education through Technology, Media
and Materials
The National Center to Improve Practice in Special Education through Technology, Media
and Materials (NCiP) provides a video tour of an early childhood classroom that demonstrates
how assistive technology can be integrated into a child care or preschool setting.
You can view the video here http://www2.edc.org/NCIP/tour/Barbara_Intro.html
The SEEDS of Partnership
The SEEDS of Partnership assists special educators, administrators, staff, and families
involved in programs for children with disabilities. They aim to create or provide
avenues and tools to increase improvement of partnerships, provide professional development
resources, and tools that will assist LEAs seeking to improve their family engagement
program practices and educational outcomes. http://www.seedsofpartnership.org/index.html
Tots ‘n Tech
The Tots 'n Tech Research Institute (TnT) is an inter-university collaboration between
Thomas Jefferson University (TJU), Philadelphia and Arizona State University (ASU),
Tempe. TnT’s mission is to provide up-to-date information and resources about adaptations,
including assistive technology, to use with infants and toddlers. https://inclusiveschools.org/tots-n-tech-assistive-technology-for-infants-and-toddlers/
The Family Center on Technology and Disability (FCTD)
The Family Center on Technology and Disability (FCTD) is a resource designed to support
organizations and programs that work with families of children and youth with disabilities.
FCTD offers a range of information and services on the subject of assistive and instructional
technologies. Resources include fact sheets, power points, and family guides. https://www.fhi360.org/projects/family-center-technology-and-disability%E2%80%93ii-fctd
This project from the University of Colorado Denver provides families, educators and specialists with strategies to increase participation in school of children with disabilities. Handouts, forms, how-to's, and other information on assistive technology strategies are provided to help educators and families increase children's participation in their own learning. The following link offers tip sheets for educators, caregivers, and therapists. http://www.projectparticipate.org/handoutsforms.asp