Here are two quite different books providing advice on using ICT with the under-fives. The first reinforces the use of ICT through play and popular themes, and the second links ICT closely to the six areas of learning in the Foundation Stage.
Belair Early Years - ICT
This attractive, colourful book starts with good advice on creating a computer area, using ICT in role play, developing mouse skills and using talking books. It provides a range of ICT activities linked to popular themes such as 'minibeasts' and 'ourselves', each offering extension activities to promote home-school links. It includes ideas for exploring e-mail and the internet and advice and activities on how to record sounds, make music and use an art programme. The colour photographs offer inspiration for the activities and suggest ideas for presenting children's work. My only real criticism is an over- emphasis on using concept keyboards (a piece of hardware that allows children to input words and pictures on to the screen.)
* Belair Early Years - ICT, 12.95 (tel 0870 6091235, www.folens.com)ICT for the Foundation Stage
This ring-bound book is written for early years practitioners and aims to give the reader practical, jargon-free advice. The first section provides a reference as to how ICT can develop and enhance teaching and learning in each area, followed by a collection of software reviews with example activity plans. The book also gives advice on choosing appropriate hardware, using a floor robot and use of the internet. There are useful contact details for organisations and software companies and the book finishes with four A4 labels for a floppy disc, CD-Rom, computer and mouse.
* ICT for the Foundation Stage, Bolton LEA, 9 (tel 01204 366497, www.theictshop.com)
