AT for Preschool

Preschool Categories

Classroom Environments

The section on classroom environments contains informational links on how to set up a classroom environment that incorporates AT into the various learning centers including the use of computers in the classroom. There are several videos available to assist teachers in recreating classrooms that encompass universal design strategies.

Able Play
Able Play is a toy evaluation Web site and looks at four areas -- communication, sensory, communicative, and cognitive. It rates toys in different age categories and types of disability. The Web site is supported by the National Lekotek Center. “AblePlay™ toy evaluations are the key to unlocking the magic of play for children with special needs! Choosing toys for children with disabilities can be difficult. There are thousands of choices but finding just the right toy to match the varying abilities of each child with special needs can be a challenge. AblePlay's independent toy reviews and detailed information help you get "beyond the box" to understand each toy's unique features, creative ways each toy can be used with children with special needs and skills that will be enhanced as a result. Search for an AblePlay-Rated Toy today and unlock the magic of play for your children with special needs.”
The Center for Best Practices in Early Childhood Education at Western Illinois University
The Center offers several products including print publications and videos including:
- “Constructing a Battery Interrupter and a Tread Switch to Assist a Child in Controlling a Toy or Tape Record” (video) $30
- “Supporting a Comprehensive Technology System: Roles of an On-Site Technology Team,” a video on assessing a child’s technology needs and integrating computers into the curriculum (video) $50
- “Your Preschool Classroom Computer Center, How Does It Measure Up?” The video is a guide for teachers when setting up computers in the classroom and is based on an assessment tool for the classroom. (video) $60
- “Supporting the Early Childhood Curriculum with Technology,” which “Addresses technology integration and how teachers enhance and support thematic units with software and related materials. Plan on seeing a creepy, crawly adventure with bugs, investigating interesting and familiar body parts with Mr. Potato Head, and modeling nutrition experiences with DW the Picky Eater. Join preschool teachers as they give us a peek into their classrooms to observe technology integration in action!” $50
- “A guide to selecting software for young children provides five levels of consideration when purchasing software for children.” (video) $50
Early Childhood Connections, Northwest Educational Technology Consortium (2005)
The Web site includes a section on technology connections covering information on placement of computers to enhance classroom environments, integrating technology into the curriculum, software and hardware selection, and resources available for young children. There are separate sections devoted to preschool and childcare settings. As their Web site suggests, their purpose focuses on: “Connecting technology with the way young children learn: resources and information for educators and care providers.”
Every Kid Can AT Wheel - Let’s Play Project
The project is a federally-funded effort based out of the University of Buffalo, Center for Assistive Technology. The EKC Wheel was developed by national experts in assistive technology in early childhood. A table is provided with many ideas for activities to integrate AT into daily routines with young children and to support inclusion and full participation with peers.
The National Center to Improve Practice in Special Education Through Technology, Media and Materials (NCIP)
Two videos are available that present preschool classrooms demonstrating the integration of technology. One depicts a preschool environment and the other is K-2. The videos demonstrate effective practice and the infusion of low and high technology in the classroom to promote the following principles: “When you visit each classroom you will witness four key elements of effective practice: engineering the classroom environment to optimize access to learning, modifying instructional strategies, materials, and tools to meet individual needs, integrating the curriculum through theme-based learning, and embedding assessment in all classroom activities.” (1998) Center for literacy and Disability Studies at Duke University in North Carolina. A brief tour of the classrooms is available. The preschool video can be purchased online for $30.
Preschool Zone
Resources for Early Childhood Special Education, “The Preschool Zone started as a resource for early childhood special educators. I envisioned it to be a resource that targets this population specifically. Therefore, I have been very careful to include information and links that are specifically relevant to preschoolers with special needs and not general information about disabilities and education. Later, I became the web master for the Preschool Education Program's Web Page (Montgomery County, Maryland, Linda Bastiani, retrieved May 2007).” The site includes downloadable materials, thematic units for preschool special education classrooms and links to other resources. The format is simple and easy to use. The Web site includes downloadable boardmaker and intelli tools resources. There are different page links to Preschool Zone’s technology and research.
Preschool Ideas for Early Childhood Special Education
This is another section of the Web site that provides actual curricular-themed ideas using AT in the classroom.
Preschool Teacher
This is a personal Web site developed a few years ago by a preschool teacher who refers to herself as Stormie. She has an alphabetized list of curricular ideas, thematic lesson plans, books, activities, etc. on her Web site. It includes some great preschool teacher tips.
Project Participate
The project is a federally-funded Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) effort at JFK Partners, University of Colorado. The site provides handouts, forms, how-to's, and other information on assistive technology strategies to help educators and families increase children's participation in their own learning. The focus is on the school-aged child and using technology to support inclusion in educational settings. There are handouts, products and other suggestions for school and home that could be used in a preschool classroom. One section includes gadgets and gizmos that are low-tech devices such as a hair brush as a stand for playing cards.
Technology: LD in Depth
The site focuses on information concerning children with learning disabilities and ADHD. It includes Tech Talk, Technology Reviews, Classroom Applications, Tech Guide to Products, Technology Resources, and Integrating Technology. A new feature is that Tech Talk and articles can be downloaded.
WATI Products
The Wisconsin Assistive Technology Initiative has developed a Web site that includes downloadable items for infants and toddlers and early childhood in the area of AT and curriculum and AT devices. Coming soon is “Picture Supported Environments for young children in early learning environments.” Additionally there is a publication for “Designing Environments for Successful Kids” and a guide categorized by curricular areas (2005)
WIU Project on Accessing Arts (2002)
Western Illinois University completed an art curriculum project for young children with disabilities. The Web site contains sample lessons in the arts with adaptations for inclusion of young children with disabilities in the activities. Lists of adapted materials and related links are also provided.
The Wiz
A searchable database for curriculum-based lesson plans using Assistive Technology in the classroom. Professionals and parents can select the age level, curriculum theme, skills and AT devices to search for. Lesson plans with particular themes and skills targeted for school inclusion result. These lesson and activity plan resources are continually expanding and provided at no cost by Ablenet, Inc.

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