A guide to developing the ICT curriculum for early childhood education

By Iram and John Siraj-Blatchford

(Trentham Books, 16.99, available through Early Education, 020 7539 5400)

Reviewed by Harriet Price, early years ICT consultant

Research is vital when considering the place of ICT in early childhood. Too often, personal opinion or the latest technology leads the agenda. This guide unites several important studies: Effective Provision of Pre-school Education (EPPE); Researching Effective Pedagogy in the Early Years (REPEY); European Commission funded Developmentally Appropriate Technology in Early Childhood (DATEC); and IBM's European KidSmart programme evaluation.

This research has enabled the authors to draw conclusions and offer guidance for the practical implications of embedding ICT in the early years. Their discussion is illustrated by two case studies of ICT in practice, one centre-based (Gamesley Early Excellence Centre), the other focusing on work at a regional level (Northamptonshire). Both demonstrate that the quality of play-based experiences can increase with effective ICT developments.