Recent Report from the Joan Ganz Cooney Center - Digital Play for Global Citizens

By: Carrie Portrie, M.Ed

I was recently introduced to the Joan Ganz Cooney Center website by a colleague. One recent post was titled - "These Are The Digital Playgrounds Where Tomorrow’s Global Citizens Can Build Social Skills" by Jordan Shapiro Available on the Joan Ganz Cooney Center Website. This blog outlines and provides a downloadable PDF of Digital Play for Global Citizens. 

Jordan Shapiro leads educators, youth development leaders, and parents through a vast landscape of digital resources – some of which may already be familiar tools – and suggests some innovative ways to nurture our young learners into macro-minded citizens. With the guidance of the adults around them, Digital Play for Global Citizens highlights some ways that children can use digital tools to engage more deeply with the ideas that will help prepare them to thrive in a world of unforeseen challenges.

We live in a society filled with technology and resources that support economic, social, and educational access for children of all abilities. This site has many resources to learn more. For me it is a connection to my past. Sesame Street was one of my favorite shows in the 1980's and my dad brought our first computer home before I entered grade school in 1988. I enjoyed playing on our Commodore 64, making invitations to parties and playing educational games, like Bagasaurus. In my opinion, 21st century parents/guardians and teachers need to listen to and interact with children when in comes to technology. Many times children are savvy digital natives and need adults and peers supporting their exploration and innovations in our ever-changing digital landscape.