The Effects of Digital Literacy Skills on Preschool Science Education
Chapter from the book: Aydınlı, B. & Altunoğlu, B. D. (eds.) 2024. Transforming Early Childhood Education: Technology, Sustainability, and Foundational Skills for the 21st Century .

Erkan Yanarateş
Kastamonu University

Synopsis

This chapter provides a comprehensive analysis of the effects of digital literacy skills on preschool science education. Digital literacy encompasses critical elements such as information access, analytical thinking, and secure digital content creation, fostering children’s abilities in critical thinking, problem-solving, and information retrieval from an early age. Particularly within preschool science education, digital literacy not only facilitates children’s understanding of scientific processes but also encourages active engagement in the learning process. This study examines how digital literacy skills can be integrated into preschool science education through developmentally appropriate activities and content. The role of digital literacy in preschool science education is explored through a review of research conducted in Turkey and internationally, educational theories, and practical applications designed to help young children understand science concepts through digital tools. By connecting these findings to theoretical foundations such as Vygotsky’s Social Constructivism and Piaget’s Cognitive Development Theory, the chapter discusses how digital literacy contributes to children’s cognitive and scientific development. Furthermore, practical recommendations and examples of digital literacy activities enriched with digital tools are presented for educators, aiming to support them in integrating digital literacy and science education in children’s developmental processes. These recommendations offer a guiding framework for educators and parents to incorporate digital literacy and science education effectively. In this context, the study emphasizes the positive impacts of digital literacy on early science education and its significance in fostering children’s scientific curiosity.

How to cite this book

Yanarateş, E. (2024). The Effects of Digital Literacy Skills on Preschool Science Education. In: Aydınlı, B. & Altunoğlu, B. D. (eds.), Transforming Early Childhood Education: Technology, Sustainability, and Foundational Skills for the 21st Century . Özgür Publications. DOI: https://doi.org/10.58830/ozgur.pub534.c2200

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Published

December 13, 2024

DOI