Technology can help motivate children and contribute to their cognitive and social development while enhancing their self-concept and improving attitudes about learning. It can encourage longer, more complex speech and help children become better at problem solving, abstraction, and conceptual skills. However, technology should not replace human interaction and relationships. It is best used as a catalyst for social interaction and conversations related to children's work when integrated together with traditional teaching methods to enhance development. Websites like Starfall.com and tools like laptops, Google Earth, and Stellarium can be used in the classroom to engage children in learning letters, geography, astronomy, and more in an interactive way.

1. Technology in Early Childhood Education

2. According to Research Technology Can… Help motivate children Contribute to cognitive and social development Enhance self-concept Improve attitudes about learning This information was found at: http://www.nwrel.org/request/june01/child.html#research Encourage longer, more complex speech Help children be better at problem solving, abstraction, and conceptual skills. Other benefits

3. Working together with Technology “ Technology cannot and should not replace human interaction or relationships… Properly used, however, computers and software can serve as catalysts for social interaction and conversations related to children's work” (Clements & Nastasi, 1993). Found on http://www.nwrel.org/request/june01/child.html#research , picture below found at http://www.4teachers.org/graphics/homepic1_gail.jpg

4. Integrating Technology Technology should not replace other traditional teaching methods. Use technology and other teaching strategies together to enhance development Top picture from: http://harvestchristianchurch.us/youth/images/HCC_preschoolers_1208.jpg Bottom picture from:http://www.amontessorimarketplace.com/images/child_with_computer.jpg

5. How to use Technology in the Classroom starfall.com (letters, numbers) Stellarium Google earth Laptops, internet Other… Picture on left found at http://rainelaw.files.wordpress.com/2007/11/pe0052515.jpg

6. Google Earth… Virtual tours Fun geography teaching Interactive and more concrete than maps. Help children gain a sense of their community. Picture on left found at http://www.unepscs.org/images/stories/SCS_on_Google_Earth.jpgPicture on Right found at http://www.admissions.caltech.edu/uploads/Image/maps/map-freeways.jpg

7. Starfall.com Children can get involved in learning letters. Easy way to keep the children engaged and interested. Plenty of great resources can be found on this site, check it out! Picture from http://www.starfall.com/n/level-k/letter-i/load.htm?f