Facts In Action

Computers can be a valuable tool in preschool classrooms for learning and for social interaction. When used correctly, computers can encourage cooperative interactions among children with different skill levels as they work together to achieve goals and learn to navigate the computer. Additionally, computer use can positively effect young children's cognitive and social development, and contribute to their problem solving skills, critical thinking and decision making skills, creativity, language development, social abilities, and self esteem.

To ensure that early computer experiences are educational, developmentally-appropriate, and stimulating, early care and education professionals should choose software that encourages cooperation, higher-level thinking, and peer mentoring and support. The following questions should be considered when choosing software for the classroom:

• Does the software contribute to children's comprehension of the world and foster and satisfy curiosity?
• Is its content appropriate and interesting?
• Is a high degree of interaction required which calls for thoughtful responses and choices?
• Are clear directions included, and does the program respond as expected?
• Can children run the program by themselves easily, or manage the software after some experience with it?
• Does the program have well-designed graphics, color, and sound features?
• How structured is the software? Does it offer opportunities for drills, practice, and tutorials?

There are a number of online resources to help with the selection of appropriate software for preschool classrooms, including:

• Educational Software Evaluations
  ra.terc.edu/SoftwareEval/SoftwareEvalHome.cfm Editor's Note: this url is no longer active.
• PEP: Resources for Parents, Educators, and Publishers
  microweb.com/pepsite Editor's Note: this url is no longer active.
• SuperKids Educational Software Review
  www.superkids.com
• Software Evaluation Instrument from Children's Software Review
  www.childrenssoftware.com/choosing

Sources:
"Social Play at the Computer: Preschoolers Scaffold and Support Peers' Computer Competence," N. Freeman and J. Somerindyke, Information in Childhood Education Annual, 2001; "Choosing Software for Children," M. Spencer, ERIC Digests, ED267914, 1986.

Facts in Action, April 2002