Exploring the Opportunities and Challenges of the Digital World for Early Childhood Services with Vulnerable Children

Leona Harris, Niki Davis, Una Cunningham, Lia De Vocht, Sonja Macfarlane, Nikita Gregory, Saili Aukuso, Tufulasifa’atafatafa Ova Taleni and Jan Dobson
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Leona Harris: E-Learning Research Lab, University of Canterbury, Christchurch 8041, New Zealand
Niki Davis: E-Learning Research Lab, University of Canterbury, Christchurch 8041, New Zealand
Una Cunningham: Department of Education, Uppsala University, 75236 Uppsala, Sweden
Lia De Vocht: E-Learning Research Lab, University of Canterbury, Christchurch 8041, New Zealand
Sonja Macfarlane: Te Rū Rangahau: The Māori Research Laboratory, University of Canterbury, Christchurch 8041, New Zealand
Nikita Gregory: Child Well-being Research Institute, University of Canterbury, Christchurch 8041, New Zealand
Saili Aukuso: E-Learning Research Lab, University of Canterbury, Christchurch 8041, New Zealand
Tufulasifa’atafatafa Ova Taleni: Child Well-being Research Institute, University of Canterbury, Christchurch 8041, New Zealand
Jan Dobson: Sector Enablement and Support, Ministry of Education, Christchurch 8013, New Zealand

IJERPH, 2018, vol. 15, issue 11, 1-18

Abstract: Potentially addictive behaviours supported by the internet and mobile phones raise concerns in education services for early childhood. Although there is evidence that screen media can distract the attention of young children, there was a massive uptake of digital devices by early childhood centres (ECCs). We investigated practices of families ( n = 85) and of six ECCs serving vulnerable children in New Zealand, many of whom are emergent bilinguals. Descriptions of the limited and exemplary choice of screen media of the ECCs include digital portfolios containing children’s learning stories in multiple languages illustrated with digital photos. This was facilitated by increasing partnership with the families and the inclusion of their languages in the physical and digital landscapes of the ECCs. However, these families and the ECCs are seeking additional guidance to face the complex challenges of the digital world. These early findings from our national research programme, A Better Start, E Tipu E Rea, already informed significant changes in the ECCs; we also identified the potential for young children to act as agents of change.

Keywords: internet addiction; mobile phone (or smartphone) use; young children; early childhood education; parenting; emergent bilinguals; intergenerational language transmission (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
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