Early Childhood Special Education and Assistive Technology Blog

By: Carrie Portrie , M.Ed, EC-SEAT Coordinator When choosing apps to support young children with communication, social, and academic skills adults need to be intentional. There are many apps available for young children that parents, early education and care providers may use with children. Adults caring for young children and providing supports that include touch technology and app selection can consider some of the following steps and questions. Do research Who is the developer? What is their background and experience?  Is the app age appropriate? What is the cost? Determine the purpose What functional capabilities are being supported if a child uses this app? (ex. language, communication, mobility, social or emotional, cognitive) How will this app promote access and participation for the child in their learning? Talk to the family (if the app is selected in a school, care, or intervention setting)  What are their technology preferences/use and the child's...

FunTime Timer by: CondigoDelSur (FREE) - (review by Carrie Portrie, EC-SEAT Project Coordinator). The fun time timer is a simple and free app. This timer can be used with children who struggle with time limits for certain tasks and need visual and audible cues. Examples include playtime or clean up. This app supports self-regulation and has three visual representations of time. There is a snail making its way across the screen at the bottom, a tree that loses its leaves, and a circle with numbers counting down the time going from red to white. Time can be selected from 10 seconds to 1 hour. When the time is up balloons fly in the air and voices cheer. The visuals and simplicity seems appealing for young children and adults can select time easily, and there are no ads or distracting pop ups. Telling Time App (FREE)  - (review provided by Kerri Hughes, EC-SEAT Scholar, certified special educator.) The Telling Time app is simple to use and has a variety of settings. It is a great a...

By: Carrie Portrie , EC-SEAT Coordinator The National Association for theEducation of Young Children (NAEYC) with the Fred Rogers Center for EarlyLearning and Children’s Media (2012) joint position statement Technology and Interactive Media as Tools in Early Childhood Programs Serving Children from Birth through Age 8 states when technology is used wisely and with intention it “support learning and relationships,” (p. 1). When children and adults learn together the potential for positive development can enhance relationships throughout an early learning community (p. 1). Technology includes a variety of tools and devices including but not limited to: “computers, tablets, multitouch screens, interactive whiteboards, mobile devices, cameras, DVD and music players, audio recorders, electronic toys, games, e-book readers, and older analog devices still being used such as tape recorders, VCRs, VHS tapes, record and cassette players, light tables, projectors, and microscopes,” (NAE...