Project: Children and Computers

Preliminary Reflections Concerning the Use of Computers in Kindergarten

When an educational theory vouches for science and change it ought not to recoil from reality. Everything that affects childrens lives must become part of the educational process, must be discussed and dealt with and have its place in our culture.

We regard computers as a means of technical communication and information. Our educational concept proceeds from a realistic and situation-orientated work, a child-appropriate promotion of those skills that children will need in order to cope with their future.

Computers are part of childrens environment just like sand in a sandbox. In this project children shall have the possibility to perceive computers holistically like sand in a sandbox.

We regard the child as an exploring, problem-solving being equipped with various skills and competences. Using this as a starting-point we would like to go on an exploring tour around and into the medium computer with them.

Before the children sit at the computer we would like to illustrate the principle input, processing, output. Furthermore we would like to present the computer as a means to acquire knowledge and not only as a collection of games. The individual activities presented here follow each other.

Duration of the Project

If the activities are carried out weekly and if they are resumed and deepened in free play the project covers a period of about 11 weeks.