A new education tool aiming to provide better access to technology to young Victorian children was just launched in Melbourne by Minister for Families and Children Jenny Mikakos.
The Taking Small Bytes card deck has been developed by education experts to enhance children’s learning opportunities by building STEM skills and knowledge through play.
“Used in the right way, digital technologies enable learning by providing access to quality online resources and experts, connecting families with their children’s learning, improving assessment, feedback and reporting and bridging the educational divide for kids with additional needs.”
“Building STEM skills and knowledge is central to the ongoing work by the Andrews Labor Government to make Victoria the Education State, and help all Victorian children reach their potential,”
“Small Bytes will not only stoke kids’ imaginations and be a stimulating part of play and learning, they will also help children grow up to be safe and responsible technology users,” Mrs Mikakos said.
The Taking Small Bytes deck includes 100 cards, featuring 370 tips for educators about how to technology can be used as part of a play-based learning program. Ideas include how to get kids exploring with a digital microscope, going on a virtual tour to the other side of the world, and how to connect with a favourite author.
The cards build children’s literacy and numeracy, supporting the development of important broader skills such as curiosity, critical thinking, communication and collaboration.
Taking Small Bytes aligns with the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework, which underpins the work Victoria’s early years sector, outlining the knowledge and skills that lead children to become confident, engaged life-long learners.
All government-funded kindergarten programs will be receiving hard copy sets of the cards.
The cards will also be available to all Victorian early childhood education and care services and parents as an electronic book at: www.education.vic.gov.au/about/programs/learningdev/vicstem/Pages/ecsmal…