media literacy guide

 Slide retrieved from:https://www.google.com/search?q=technology+and+Early+Childhood+Education

Jenkins refers confronting the challenges of participatory cultures and the importance of media literacy: “Schools and After-school programs must devote more attention to fostering what we call the new literacies: a set of cultural competencies and social skills that young people need in the new media landscape…These skills build on the foundation of traditional literacy and research, technical, and critical-analysis skills learned in the classroom” (Jenkins,2009, p.14).  

Effective guidance in media literacy may prove to be overwhelming for many parents and caregivers of young children, if they are inexperienced, or unfamiliar with technology.

This media literacy guide has been designed as a tool to be used by parents and caregivers of young children (birth through age 8).  The home connection, as companion to Early Childhood Education, is a key component to the development of social, critical, and technical skills needed to navigate an ever-evolving participatory culture.  It provides resources to assist Parents/Caregivers in navigating the digital world safely, effectively, and responsibly. 

Tools of the Trade:

The first step in helping your child navigate the ever-changing world of technology, is to familiarize yourself with the various media and devices that he/she will be using at school or at home.  This includes, but is not limited to, I-pads, tablets, and computers.  The more proficient you become in using these “tools of the trade”, the easier it will be to guide your child effectively.   The resources listed will focus on topics ranging from “parts of a computer”, to using the Internet.

Magic Applehouse—Introduces students to basic computer skills

KeyCoach—a tutorial that covers the parts of the computer

 Good Computer Kids—a child-friendly video that teaches about the parts of a computer and how to use them.  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5VQk-uplgwpLT8QGJHIBSQ   

Internet Safety:

Safety is a primary concern for parents of young children, especially with regard to online interactions. It is important to educate yourself about possible risks, to take steps to ensure your security, to talk to your child about internet safety, and to monitor your child’s online activity closely.  The resources listed focus on internet safety, and ways to talk to your young child about responsible online activity. 

The Walt Disney Company- a child-friendly resource for online safety tips Retrieved from: http://cdn.media.thewaltdisneycompany.com/cdnmedia/privacypolicies/docs/online_safety_tips_20131111.pdf

How to Have the Talk With Your Kids (about the internet, that is!) –a parent-friendly guide to talking to your child about internet safety, and answering questions as they arise http://dotcomplicated.co/content/2013/06/25/internet_safety/

KidsHealth.org—offers practical tips and resources for talking to your child about online safety. http://kidshealth.org/en/parents/net-safety.html

Critical Thinking Skills

It’s never too early to start developing your child’s critical thinking skills.  The ability to evaluate the reliability and credibility of information presented online will serve to help them become problem-solvers and see through possible biases or untruths found in online information.  It is important to emphasize to your child that you are open and available to answer questions and help in determining the authenticity of what he/she finds online.  The resources listed offer tools for addressing this topic:

Technology and Critical Literacy in Early Childhood – explains the importance of looking at online information through a critical lens—and how to approach this with very young children

http://uabcontio.ru/qehyseda.pdf

Technology and Critical Literacy in Early Childhood---a short video and free e-book that talks to parents about the importance of critical literacy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yz3NL7Iy--8

Play as learning:

Our young children learn through play—through hands-on interaction with materials, exploration, and the active development of problem-solving skills.  Technology can offer young children an added dimension to traditional learning activities, and provide building blocks to add to their foundation of emergent skills.  In joining your child in exploring these resources, you get the added benefit of sharing quality time with your child through the use of technology.

Switcharoo Zoo—watch, listen and play games to learn about amazing animals www.switcharoozoo.com

Seussville—read, play games, and hang out with Dr. Seuss and his friends www.seussville.com

ABC YA –practice early learning math and reading skills while playing fun games www.abcya.com

The ever-changing world of technology can be confusing and overwhelming, if you don’t know where to start.  This guide is a springboard to helping you to help your child navigate his/her digital world.  One final resource for questions or concerns about digital literacy or any topic facing parents in today’s world is : www.NAEYC.org .  The most important thing to remember is that by providing our children with the right tools—we are preparing them to learn and grow in this “multi-media” world in which we live.   

Reference: Jenkins, H. (2009). Confronting the challenges of participatory culture: Media education for the 21st century. Cambridge, MA: The MIT Press.