Hi everyone. Can I share my experiences as an early years educator in nursery settings. I want to talk about a topic that is often misunderstood or overlooked: technology in the EYFS!
I am a big advocate for children to access the outdoor environment as much as possible, because I believe there are so many learning opportunities it can provide for children. From exploring nature, to developing physical skills, to fostering creativity and imagination, the outdoors is a rich and stimulating place for young learners.
But that doesn’t mean we should ignore technology altogether. In fact, within the EYFS – Understanding the World, it is a legal requirement that children are able to access technology. Technology is everywhere, and doesn’t seems be going away anytime soon. So it makes sense to expose little ones at a young age, to help and support their knowledge before they need to use it as an adult. I can barely create a folder to store documents in…I don’t wish that for my children…
Technology should be within settings, and it forms part of early education. But what does this look like? And how do we reassure parents it not just turning on a laptop and letting little ones watch Peppa pig for 2 hours everyday…..we really don’t do that…!
There are many ways nurseries can introduce technology into the EYFS…
There are many ways nurseries can introduce technology into their settings, but for me, within the outdoor environment is fantastic and can enhance or extend children’s learning and curiosity. It can be simple things like using a magnifying glass to observe c insects, or a digital camera to capture their discoveries. It can also be more complex things like using a tablet to record their own stories or songs, or a programmable toy to navigate a maze. The key is to use technology as a tool, not as a replacement, for outdoor learning.
The Pros & Cons
Technology can also support children’s communication and language skills, as they can share their ideas and experiences with others, either verbally or through pictures and sounds. It can also foster children’s problem-solving and critical thinking skills, as they can experiment with different functions and features, and learn from trial and error. And spark children’s creativity and imagination, as they can use it to create their own games, art or music.
Of course, technology in the outdoor environment should be used with care and supervision. We need to make sure the devices are safe and suitable for children’s age and stage of development. But also to balance the use of technology with other types of activities and experiences, and ensure that children have enough time for free play and social interaction. We also need to communicate with parents and carers about the benefits and challenges of technology in the outdoor environment, and involve them in our planning and assessment.
So next time you are planning an outdoor session with your little ones, why not try adding some technology to the mix? You might be surprised by how much they enjoy it and learn from it. And don’t forget to share your stories and feedback with me on this blog. I would love to hear from you!
Thanks for reading and see you next time!