The University of Toledo

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 Project workgroup on Early Education Technology (SWEET)
The SEEDS Project workgroup on Early Education Technology (SWEET) offers assistive technology training modules. The module topics include an overview of assistive technology, and how assistive technology can support literacy, language, and play in young children.
http://www.scoe.net/seeds/resources/at/trainMods.html

Let’s Play Project, University of Buffalo
The Let’s Play Project website offers resources for using assistive technology within play.
http://letsplay.buffalo.edu/toys/special-toys.htm

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. http://tnt.asu.edu/

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. http://www.fctd.info/show/about

DREAMMS for Kids: Assistive Technology for Children with Special Needs
This website provides a variety of resources and links to information on assistive and adaptive technology as well as information about federal and state programs and policies for children with disabilities. http://www.dreamms.org

Project Participate
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