Earlier this week, the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and the Fred Rogers Center for Early Learning and Children’s Media at Saint Vincent College issued a joint position statement entitled Technology and Interactive Media as Tools in Early Childhood Programs Serving Children from Birth through Age 8.

As leaders in the field of early childhood education, the informed perspective of NAEYC and the Fred Rogers Center was eagerly anticipated by educators, researchers, technologists, media makers and more.

While offering both support and caution for the use of technology and media in early childhood programs, key messages of the statement include:

When used intentionally and appropriately, technology and interactive media are effective tools to support learning and development.

Intentional use requires early childhood teachers and administrators to have information and resources regarding the nature of these tools and the implications of their use with children.

Limitations on the use of technology and media are important.

Special considerations must be given to the use of technology with infants and
toddlers.

Attention to digital citizenship and equitable access is essential.

Ongoing research and professional development are needed.

This position statement is an important contribution to the ongoing development of new learning models and tools in the first decades of the 21st Century. Steeped in research-based knowledge of how young children learn, play, and grow and committed to improving access to and quality of quality learning opportunities for young children, both NAEYC and Fred Rogers Center are central to this work.

You can read the position statement and download it in its entity on the NAEYC website. NAEYC has also put together a 20 minute webcast summarizing important points of the position statement. Watch the webcast on NAEYC’s site.