See this article published at Early Childhood Connection!
One important consideration in the early childhood classroom should be in providing opportunities for children to grow and develop as digital citizens. In today’s digital age, children are often exposed to technology and online environments from birth. Just as we prepare young learners for interaction and success in the physical classroom, we must also encourage readiness with regard to using technology and interacting online.
Digital Citizenship Programs
An effective digital citizenship program will teach children
the skills and concepts necessary to thrive in online environments. Topics for instruction may include protecting
private information, online courtesy, internet safety, cyberbullying, and managing
screen time. Children need direction in
learning to communicate and share information online, safely and effectively, as
well as in learning to recognize and avoid potential dangers on the web.
Getting Started
One great resource for teachers to use in regard to incorporating
digital citizenship into the curriculum, is found at Common Sense Media’s
webpage, Common
Sense Education. This free resource
(yes, it’s really free!), provides a wealth of information to include lesson plans,
videos, iBooks, downloadable posters, and toolkits for use with children in
grades K-12. In addition, concerned educators
and parents can use the ratings found in the Reviews section to evaluate
the age-appropriateness of movies, books, apps, TV shows, video games,
websites, and music titles.
Are you ready to help children navigate the information
superhighway? It’s up to us to help them
enjoy safe travels and ensure success online!
References
Common Sense Media, I. (2015, April 28). Common
Sense Education. Retrieved from Common Sense Media:
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/
