ICT in Early Childhood : Pro's & Con's

ICT can be defined as “anything which allows us to get information, to communicate with each other, or to have an effect on the environment using electronic or digital equipment”. In early childhood education (ECE), the term ICT could include computer hardware and software, digital cameras and video cameras, the Internet, telecommunication tools, programmable toys, and many other devices and resources.

The literature suggests at least three reasons why ICT matters in early childhood education. First, ICT already has an effect on the people and environments that surround young children’s learning. Second, these technologies offer new opportunities to strengthen many aspects of early childhood education practice. Third, there is support and interest across the whole education sector for the development and integration of ICT into education policy, curriculum, and practice. However, there is a clear consensus in the literature that the introduction and use of ICT in early childhood education should be grounded in a clear understanding of the purposes, practices, and social context of early childhood education. 

The Pro's

The key is to ensure that children have access to ICT which offers them opportunities to develop general skills and also extends their specific knowledge of that technology. Secondly , higher quality lessons through greater collaboration between teachers in planning and preparing resources. Thirdly through ICT , images can be used in teaching and improving the rentetive memory of student. Moreover through ICT , teacher can easily explain complex instruction and ensure students comprehension. Through ICT also teacher are able to create interactive classes and make the lessons more enjoyable , which could improve student attendance and combination.

 The Con's

ICT is not a thing where all teacher knows how to use , by this setting up the devices can be very troublesome. Secondly , not all nursery , kindergarten , preschool or school can afford it , especially the rural area its too expensive. Next , hard for teachers to use with lack of experience using ICT tools. Moreover , too much early exposure to screen - based technology can be very 

detrimental and make it more difficult to learn to read and write. Next up , some of children not being able to hold a pen or pencil but we are giving the kids instant gratification all the time with ICT and it makes it for them to presevere with something that takes a while to learn. As a conclusion , not having access to digital technology in the early years will put children at a disadvantage to those who have been expose to it.