Preschool learning with a fingertip: Concept of a tablet-based training program to support emergent literacy and mathematical skills

Abstract

Emergent literacy in preschool and the understanding of numbers and quantities has a positive impact on the later school success of children. Research studies have shown a close connection between preschool achievements in phonological awareness or numerical-quantity understanding and later school performance. New interactive and mobile media like tablets have the potential for educators and children to deal with preschool content in a playful way. Why do we not use the potential of new media technologies to support future school success? A research group of the Chemnitz University of Technology wants to make use of the potential and will concept, develop and evaluate a training program with different building blocks to support skills in phonological awareness, in alphabetic awareness and in understanding of numbers and quantities. The concept of preschool learning with a fingertip is presented and discussed.