Nursery World - Tiny techies

Sometimes children have difficulty in understanding 'technology' - what can be controlled and what can't. Everyday technology is an important aspect of ICT within the early learning goals, and here are a number of ideas that can be used to introduce technology to young children. Start by holding up a TV remote control and asking, 'What does this do?'

Start by holding up a TV remote control and asking, 'What does this do?'

Next try a light switch, a mobile phone, a hand-held game. Ask children to think of things they turn on and off to 'work'. Next, bring out a selection of catalogues from stores such as Argos and Index and ask children to find pictures of objects that 'switch on and off to work'. Get children to tear or cut out pictures and make technology collages.

Use the same catalogues to cut out technology and non-technology items for sorting activities. Stick them on card and ask children to sort them into these two categories. Draw a large cross-section of a house and try sorting the technology items into those you would find in the kitchen, bedroom, living room or bathroom. Further sorting activities might include those items used for talking (phones, mobiles) or those children do and do not have in their own homes.

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