That was the advice given at a conference held in Glasgow tocelebrate the city's success in rolling out the Scottish Executive's Early Learning Forward Thinking Strategy, launched in October 2003.
More than 120 headteachers of pre-school nursery centres in Glasgow gathered at Hampden Stadium to hear how ICT is enhancing children's development, at every stage.
Hilery Williams, professional advisor to the executive's new educational development division, linked what is happening on the ground with what is happening in policy. She spoke of the 'fantastic practice' taking place in settings.
She said, 'ICT is an extraordinarily powerful tool to help children to develop their play. The key thing is that they are in control. Children set their own levels and their own targets.
'Twenty years ago, people thought computers would isolate children in solitary activity, but we have found it is a wonderful medium to use in groups.
'Computer games are used creatively by children and produce situations children can take away from the computer and develop in their imaginative play.'
Lynn Kennington, a training officer from Gamesley Early Excellence Centre in Glossop, Derbyshire, conveyed her enthusiasm for all forms of ICT.
She gave examples of the creative ICT tools nurseries can use - metal detectors, karaoke, overhead projectors (allowing children to enlarge their drawings), two-way radios, CCTV and MP3 players.
When it comes to actual computers, Ms Kennington said, 'Peripherals are what matter to young children - touch screens, headphones, webcams, digital cameras, scanners and digital microscopes.'
She urged practitioners to use an ICT column in their planning. 'Start with something small and move on from there,' she said.
During one of the workshops, Irene Forrest of Hamilton Hill Family Learning Centre commented that there does not seem to be a lot of ICT in college courses and and wondered if more should be included.
On this point, John Siraj-Blatchford of the Faculty of Education at the University of Cambridge, said, 'Clearly there is provision in QTS courses, but otherwise it is difficult to access. Practitioners do complain that the training they received was inadequate.'
In the meantime, Ms Forrest urged nurseries to look at their staff's existing ICT skills and to take advantage of all training opportunities.
Ms Kennington said she was aware that some people find the idea of ICT intimidating.
She said, 'Practitioners must not be afraid of technology or think it has nothing to offer very young children. They have been born into the digital world and encouraging them to make use of this technology will ensure that they can grow up to develop confidence in making technology work for them.'
Sue Harwood, development officer (early years ICT) at Learning and Teaching Scotland, said, 'Practitioners are taking ICT on board, encouraged by the emphasis on pedagogy and the use of ICT in all its forms for active learning.
'The Scottish Executive is continuing its financial commitment to the project to ensure that all staff receive training and support in ICT over the next year.'
* See 'Switched on', page 12
