Making the Online World Available for All

The world is a big place, and even though your child is young, it’s important to help them understand that! Print resources are certainly helpful, but the reach allowed to young ones through online learning platforms is indispensable to making premier education accessible to every little one! Though places like Playgarden are located in New York City, a hub for diversity, technology, and online preschool platforms can also be incredibly helpful in encouraging your child to interact with communities and cultures outside of their own, as well as acting as an advocate for culturally responsible technology.

To be culturally responsible as an online preschool platform, it is imperative for educators to select learning materials that are accessible and conducive to toddlers of all ethnic, cultural and linguistic backgrounds! Having a diverse selection of materials made available can help with broadening your toddler’s worldview and are important in making your child naturally and respectfully curious about cultures and communities outside their own. Online preschool educators should always carefully select materials for classes that allow children to see types of people with different characteristics and traits in a variety of scenarios or settings, using a wide selection of music and sounds. This will help your child begin to become acquainted with the many different people and perspectives they will encounter in the world.

 In order to build an online preschool environment that is culturally responsible, we must first understand the divide that can occur digitally between members of different communities. In 2016, information in the National Education Technology Plan (NETP) indicated a significant difference in how little ones from families with different income levels use technology. Children that came from lower income households had fewer opportunities to complete active tasks in learning settings than their higher income counterparts. Children of all economic backgrounds deserve to learn, and online preschool can be an excellent option to encourage active learning! Research has demonstrated that young children with access to a computer and an adult mentor demonstrated an increased interest in learning and increased readiness for kindergarten over young children with access to technology and no mentor. Technology can be helpful, but ensuring that your child has a guiding force in their early education process is key, and online preschool can fulfill this role with ease!

Education accessibility extends far beyond just income levels, though! Considering the needs of children with sensory, physical, intellectual and other developmental disabilities is also a crucial part of developing a positive online preschool environment for toddlers! Preschool programs should always work towards creating learning opportunities that are “born accessible”, a term indicating that accessibility is not an afterthought and is an active part of the creating process. Here, preschool online can be an exceptional tool towards ensuring a positive outcome to a toddler’s learning experience! It offers children who struggle to communicate many opportunities towards improving communication through things such as learning apps. Recommendations regarding assistive technology use for children with disabilities can be determined by a number of individuals depending on your child’s eligibility under IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act), so be certain to consult your child’s IEP or IFSP specialist if applicable. It is also important to consider recommendations guided by research regarding active and passive technology use, too; these recommendations apply to all children! Take a look at our article here to learn more about this topic.

Additionally, language building tools offered through online preschool platforms can be excellent for dual language learners! A strong development in your toddler’s home language as well as English can be worked on with technological tools. Online preschool educators, like those at Playgarden Prep, can work with families and young children on adapting materials with translations to focus on improving communication and comprehension. Oral language aid can also be provided through the use of speech recording and playback; by utilizing these technological tools, your little one can develop improved listening and speaking skills, and their learning experience will be enhanced!

There is no doubt that online preschool and early learning is a crucial part of your young one’s life! However, it is very important to constantly consider the types of learning that are being offered! By ensuring that early education is accessible to a diverse range of toddlers and covers a wide span of materials, your child will be well-equipped to be open-minded and aware of children from all backgrounds and abilities. Technology will aid your little one in taking an active role in creating their own materials and stories, and ensuring that those experiences are shared amongst their peers, creating a welcoming, diverse and culturally relevant online community!

Try Our Online Preschool for FREE! Playgarden Prep offers numerous educational videos from real teachers, and numerous DIY projects that support early learning and development