As early childhood educators employ technology in their classrooms, it is important to have a process to ensure that learning needs are being met.

Parent involvement and regular communication between families and their child's school is a hallmark of a high-quality early childhood program. Yet practitioners may struggle to regularly communicate and connect with all families in a meaningful way. Teachers report feeling unprepared to communicate effectively with families, especially those from…

This paper discusses the pedagogical practice of developing reading for pleasure in pre- schools and primary phase settings through the lens of one key dimension of twenty-first-century reading: personalisation. It draws on a series of studies and examples to identify, address and problematise human- and digitally mediated personalised reading for…

In previous research the "Joan Ganz Cooney Center" and "New America" have characterized the children's educational app market as a "Digital Wild West" (Guernsey, Levine, Chiong & Severns, 2012; Shuler, 2011). The marketplace is chock full of choices but lacks essential information to aid parents' and educators'…

In this paper we describe a touchscreen application called "TouchCounts," which is designed to support the development of number sense in the early years. We first provide an a priori analysis of its affordances. Then, using Sfard's communicational approach, augmented by a focus both on the role of the body--particularly the fingers…

Educational research will likely never be able to keep pace with technological innovation. It therefore will become increasingly important that early childhood professionals rely on existing knowledge to effectively evaluate and integrate emerging technology in the natural environment rather than waiting for a broad platform of research to inform…

This article, intended to inform educators on how to use iPad apps for literacy development for young children with developmental disabilities, briefly reviews the literature on iPad apps for literacy development, examines key apps for literacy development for children with developmental disabilities, and discusses how to incorporate iPad apps…

Discusses various issues related to use of microcomputers by preschool aged children, indicating that computers encourage social interaction among the youngsters. Also indicates a lack of research on the extent computers can be used to build developmental and cognitive skills in these children. Guidelines for selecting software for preschools are…

Project TTAP (Technology Team Assessment Process) demonstrated a functional technology assessment model that can be used to ensure that children from birth to 8 with moderate to severe disabilities receive a thorough team assessment and follow-up consultation focused on individualized technology applications. Team-based procedures were developed…