Preschool kids turn to ipads

TODDLERS are skyping their parents and emailing their drawings as technology links the playroom to the office.

iPads and iPods are becoming as common as books and sandpits at some early childhood education centres and kindergartens as teachers embrace technology.

Education research organisation CORE has reported a significant leap in the past year in centres adopting the latest gadgets.

CORE facilitator Tara Fagan said the iPad offered new opportunities for children.

‘‘Children can skype their parents at work. That’s something that hasn’t been done before. With an iPad or iPod touch it can be where the child is: ‘Look mum – look what I’ve made in the sandpit’.’’

Toddlers are also able to email a painting or draw a picture for their parents at work.

Some toddlers are even becoming more skilled at using an iPad than parents as the technology reaches into our early education childhood centres.

Fagan said she had heard of children teaching the teachers how to change font or adapt a picture.

Those children find the iPad natural to use because of the intuitive touch screen.

‘‘They have no fear and it’s that playfulness of children that they explore and experiment and find possibilities of what they can do, and sometimes a lot quicker than adults can.’’

Children are also working together, with older children mentoring younger ones.

Fagan dismissed fears that children would ditch traditional toys for technology like tablets and computers. ‘‘It’s just a different tool.’’ But she said restrictions were important to stop children accessing certain websites or buying applications.

‘‘Children, if they have an interest should be able to do things as long as they’re well supported.

‘‘iPads are fabulous but you need the teacher alongside.’’