Tech Savvy Tots Change the Way Teachers Approach Literacy

A couple of months ago, I babysat a 4 year old.  She was smart, spunky, full of energy and… tech savvy.    Growing up in a world of smart phones, using an iPhone was second nature.  I was amazed at how easily she navigated my iPad.  Touching and sliding, her tiny fingers flipped through images with ease, much more ease than even the largest board book.  She had never known a world where you couldn’t manipulate a screen by touching it, so imagine her dismay when she touched my laptop screen and it didn’t budge.

She represents the new generation of learning.  Teachers have increasingly implemented tools such as iPads, to teach children how to read.  A recent study showed that the use of such tools helped children under the age of 5 learn to read faster because they were significantly more engaged in the process.  A brightly screened tablet that can be easily manipulated with the touch of a finger, has proven successful at keeping even the most energetic learners focused.  This is just one tool in our tool kits that we can use to make sure every child learns to read.

Best,

Ciji Dodds

Miss International 2011