TALENT - Primary Early Years

ICT Training for Teachers

Talent Guide

Conference Area

ICT Tasks

Glossary of terms

References

ICT Competencies

Resources to Download

Primary Early Years

How ICT can enhance teaching and learning in the Early Years
ICT and Early Years
ICT activities suitable for children in Early Years
Sample plans and worksheets for Reception
Resources available to support the teaching of early years.
Web sites for Early Years
Print Version (97KB - 4 pages)

Module 1: Why Use ICT
Module 2: The Use of Generic ICT Resources
Module 3: Identifying and Evaluating the Use of Subject Specific ICT Resources
Module 4: Planning for and Managing the Use of ICT
Module 5: Teaching and Assessing the Use of ICT
Module 6: Evaluating the Impact of ICT and Planning for Future Development
ICT and English
ICT and Maths
ICT and Science
ICT and the Early Years
ICT and Special Educational Needs
ICT and Design and Technology
ICT and History
ICT and Geography
Back to Web Site Map

Teachers can use ICT to enhance teaching and learning in the Early Years by:

Encouraging pupils to become familiar with ICT and positive users of it;
Ensuring that all pupils have opportunities to use ICT, and that their experience takes account of any home use or other previous experience of ICT;
Identifying and teaching the skills necessary for handling input devices effectively e.g. switches, mouse, keyboard (including keyboard short cuts and 'hot' keys), floppy discs, CD-ROMs;
Using ICT to support the development of language and literacy, through the use of programs which develop reading and writing e.g. to reinforce letter/sound correspondence and encourage pupils to engage with stories, songs and rhymes presented on the screen, as well as through the use of high quality educational broadcasts;
Using ICT to support the development of numeracy through the use of computer programs and robots which develop and reinforce the use of mathematical language, and the recognition and exploration of numbers, simple mental operations and patterns;
Using ICT to support pupils' creative development through the use of computer programs which encourage them to explore and experiment with pattern, shape, pictures, sound and colour;
Encouraging pupils working collaboratively with ICT to share responsibilities for making decisions and reaching conclusions, e.g. as they progress through a simple computer adventure game.

(TTA Publication: 'Identification of Training Needs' 1999)

ICT and Early Years

The ICT Desirable Learning Outcomes have been reviewed and are being replaced by 'Early Learning Goals' that are being trialled from September 1999 . These apply to pre-school, nursery and reception classes.

The ICT goal is included in the area of learning known as 'Knowledge and Understanding of the World'. It states:

By the end of the reception year, most children should be able to:

find out about and identify the uses of technology in their everyday lives and use computers and programmed toys to support their learning

The TTA (1999) state that 'teachers of pupils aged 3 to 5 should understand the importance of introducing pupils in Nursery and Reception classes to the use of ICT and recognise the contribution that ICT can make to this age group. ('Identification of Training Needs' page 32)

ICT activities suitable for children in Early Years

Make laminated labels for the different parts of the computer to introduce ICT vocabulary. Use the labels to play a game with the children: read a label and ask the children to place it on the appropriate part.
Use CD-ROMs such as Living Books to improve mouse control whilst also developing early reading skills.
Use click and drag to order the letters of their name, to match numbers to sets or to match words to pictures.
Use a word processing package and a lower case keyboard to type their name, labels for the classroom or home corner. If a lower case keyboard is not available you could provide children with alphabet cards that show upper and lower case letters side by side to help children differentiate and work out the letter they need to use. Change font, colour and size of font, use Delete, Enter / Return and the space bar. Print out work.
Use a paint program to draw or represent something that has meaning to the child. Allow children to experiment with tools and colours expressing themselves creatively through 2D work using ICT as a tool. Combine text with the graphics by encouraging pupils to add their names using the keyboard or the mouse. Introduce the rubber to correct mistakes.
Program a robot (e.g. Pixie or Roamer) to move forward to a partner or forward to knock down blocks. More able children can move on to using left and right turns. They can then program the robot to travel around the room or round a floor map.
Having collected data such as "Favourite Fruit" or "Favourite Pets" the children could enter the data into a simple data handling package (e.g. Graphers - see Module 2 and Module 3). Using 'click and drag' they could sort the data on screen. They could then produce a pictogram and print out their work.
Set up the home corner as a supermarket, doctor's surgery, office or bank. Include elements such as cash tills, checkouts, computers as examples of ways of storing information. Through role play children develop an awareness of ICT in the world around them.
Introduce ICT in the world through walks and visits pointing out satellite dishes, scanners, EPOS devices (electronic point of sale), ATM (automatic telling machines), traffic lights, LCD (liquid crystal display).
Use a digital camera to import photographs of children .
Use a scanner to import children's drawings, paintings and writing.

Sample plans and worksheets for Reception

We have included here two examples of how ICT can be used to support specific objectives in teaching literacy and numeracy.

You might like to try these out, or to think of ways of adapting them for your own class.

Resources available to support the teaching of early years.

Generic software

Name: ClarisWorks*

Type: Software

Description: Integrated software with word processor, drawing, painting and spreadsheet applications.

Platform: PC and Mac

Supplier: Apple

Name: HyperStudio*

Type: Software

Description: A multimedia tool that can be used to create talking story books by adding text, images, sound and animations to their projects.

Platform: PC and Mac

Supplier: TAG Learning - 0800 591262 - http://www.taglearning.com

Early years CD-ROMs and software

Name: Living Books(School Editions)

Type: Software

Description: Six Anglicised Living Books. Interactive storybooks. These school editions contain lesson plans and worksheets addressing different curriculum subject areas. Teacher's guide can be purchased separately.

Platform: PC and Mac

Supplier: Broderbund/TAG Development - 0800 591262 - http://www.taglearning.com

Name: Kid Keys

Type: Software

Description: Provides an opportunity for children to develop a familiarity with the keyboard. Reinforces basic keyboard skills.

Platform: PC

Supplier: Iona/TAG Development - 0800 591262 - http://www.taglearning.com

Name: Nursery Rhyme Time

Type: Software

Description: Helps develop phonological awareness and sharpens listening skills. Contains 11 nursery rhymes, music and sound effects.

Platform: PC and Mac

Supplier: Sherston - 01666 843200 - http://www.sherston.com

Name: Rhyme & Analogy: Activity Software (Volumes A & B)

Type: Software

Description: Helps develop early reading skills through 36 activities. Easy to use. Highly recommended for use with Reception classes.

Platform: PC and Mac

Supplier: Sherston - 01666 843200 - http://www.sherston.com

Name: Tizzy's Toybox

Type: Software

Description: Includes 10 activities which help young children to grasp early basic skills of language, reading and maths. They work with rhyming words, prepositions, the language of comparison, matching and sorting, counting and one to one correspondence.

Platform: Mac and PC

Supplier: Sherston - 01666 843200 - http://www.sherston.com

Name: abc-CD

Type: Software

Description: Helps to teach the sound and shape of the letters.

Platform: Mac and PC

Supplier: Sherston - 01666 843200 - http://www.sherston.com

Name: My Oxford Wordbox

Type: Software

Description: Gives confidence to young readers. Teaches meanings of over 1000 words. Includes stories and rhymes.

Platform: Mac and PC

Supplier: Sherston - 01666 843200 - http://www.sherston.com

Name: 123-CD

Type: Software

Description: Includes 10 activities which help children to get to grips with early number skills. It helps them learn to count out loud, identify the number in a set and to match the name to a number.

Platform: Mac and PC

Supplier: Sherston - 01666 843200 - http://www.sherston.com

Name: Writer

Type: Software

Description: A very simple WP package suitable for young children. They can change the size of letters, select font, change the colour of their font and align left, right and centre. A picture can also be placed on the page.

Platform: PC

Supplier: Black Cat Software - 01874 622114 - http://www.blackcatsoftware.com

Name: My First Incredible Amazing Dictionary

Type: Software

Description: Contains 1000 words, their pronunciation and their meaning. Develops awareness that computers are a source of information.

Platform: Mac and PC

Supplier: Dorling Kindersley/REM 01458 254700 - http://www.r-e-m.co.uk

Name: Millie's Math House

Type: Software

Description: Helps to give young children a solid foundation in maths, dealing with number recognition, shape, colours, sequences and concept of size. At the same time it develops their confidence in using ICT.

Platform: Mac and PC

Supplier: Iona/REM 01458 254700 - http://www.r-e-m.co.uk

Name: Bailey's Book House

Type: Software

Description: Helps young children learn about letter names and sounds, rhyming words, how words affect meaning and how text relates to visual symbols. Develops thinking skills. At the same time it develops their confidence in using ICT.

Platform: Mac and PC

Supplier: Iona/REM 01458 254700 - http://www.r-e-m.co.uk

Name: Sammy's Science House

Type: Software

Description: Young children can learn about plants, animals, seasons and weather. At the same time it develops their confidence in using ICT.

Platform: Mac and PC

Supplier: Iona/REM 01458 254700 - http://www.r-e-m.co.uk

Name: Animated Numbers

Type: Software

Description: Helps young children come to grips with simple number concepts. The numbers 1-10 come alive.

Platform: Mac

Supplier: Sherston - 01666 843200 - http://www.sherston.com

Name: Kidpix Studio

Type: Software

Description: A paint and animation program allowing children to create their own multimedia productions.

Platform: Mac and PC

Supplier: Broderbund/REM 01458 254700 - http://www.r-e-m.co.uk

Name: A to Zap

Type: Software

Description: Supports language development. Children can build words and test them.

Platform: Mac and PC

Supplier: Iona/REM 01458 254700 - http://www.r-e-m.co.uk

Name: On the Farm

Type: Software

Description: Children can build up a picture, place pictures on a background, click on area to see a word, hear a sound effect or hear a word spoken and label the scene using given words.

Platform: PC

Supplier: Inclusive Technology/REM 01458 254700 - http://www.r-e-m.co.uk

Name: Henry's Party

Type: Software

Description: Offers a wide range of simple and interesting activities for children. The story is set in the context of a farmyard with Henry the pig having his birthday party. Helps to develop children's mouse skills and provides activities such as matching, sorting, counting to five. The context of the farmyard could also be linked to topics including animals, habitat or sound. It has no text but uses sound and pictures to communicate with children and invite them to get involved in the activities. Supports personal and social skills as Henry is always very kind and courteous to his friends. It has a good help system.

Platform: Mac and PC

Supplier: Marshall Media/AVP 01291625439 - http://www.avp.co.uk

Name: Musical Instruments

Type: Software

Description: Features more than 200 instruments from around the world.

Platform: Mac and PC

Supplier: TAG Learning - 0800 591262 - http://www.taglearning.com

Name: All About Weather and Seasons

Type: CD-ROM

Description: Activities relating to the theme of weather and seasons. Many activities for non-readers or non-writers. Develops ICT capability in the area of communicating and handling data.

Platform: Mac and PC

Supplier: Granada Learning- 01618 272927 - http://www.granada-learning.com

Peripherals

Name: Pixie

Type: Programmable robot

Description: Robot that can be programmed to move forward and back, and to turn left and right. Small enough to be used on a table top or the floor.

Platform: Mac and PC

Supplier: Swallow Systems - 01494 813471 - http://www.swallow.co.uk

Name: Pip

Type: Programmable floor robot

Description: Floor robot that children can program to move forward and back and to turn left and right.

Platform: Mac and PC

Supplier: Swallow Systems - 01494 813471 - http://www.swallow.co.uk

Name: Roamer

Type: Programmable robot

Description: Floor robot that children can program to move forward and back and to turn left and right.

Platform: Mac and PC

Supplier: REM - 01458 254700 - http://www.r-e-m.co.uk

Books

Name: IT Works: An Information and Communication program for the Primary Years - Ed. Helen Banbury

Type: Book

Description: A teacher resource book containing activities designed to introduce children in Early Years to ICT skills and concepts. Photocopiable sheets are included.

Platform: All

Supplier: Folens - 01582 472788

* Available from Lewisham PDC 020 8314 6146

Web sites for Early Years

Teaching Resources, Activities and Reference materials

Activities and storybooks for young children which help develop mouse control.

http://www.billybear4kids.com/ (new server at http://216.90.96.108/)

On-line activities suitable for use with reception. Resources for teachers.

http://www.naturegrid.org.uk/infant/

Some activities can only be used by subscribers. A useful activity that can be accessed by all allows children to engage in colour and shape matching activities. This also helps develop mouse control. http://www.thebigbus.com

Fun site to visit in the run up to Christmas. Hidden stories introduce the concept of a hand indicating a link. Children can E-mail Father Christmas and send cards via the Internet.

http://www.northpole.com/

Attractive animal alphabet. American site. You require plug-ins.

http://www.mrtc.org/~twright/animals/grandad.htm

BBC Education: Useful information, lesson material, interactive web pages and other links for Early Years.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/education

Kent NGfL Initiative - an excellent source for materials and links (look for Sebastian the Swan)

http:www.kented.org.uk/ngfl/

More to be added.

Organisations, Journals and Conference Sites

VTC Web sites for primary education, including Early Years.

http://vtc.ngfl.gov.uk/docserver.php?temid=7

More to be added.