AT for Preschool

Preschool Categories

Peer Play

The links listed here include suggestions for using AT and play as a vehicle for developing social relationships in the classroom. There are links on play activities as well as references concerning the behaviors needed for enhancing peer interactions when using the computer. Several of the Web sites offer handouts on various play activities that can be infused in the preschool curriculum and classroom environment to promote successful peer relationships.

Alliance for Technology Access (ATA)
The ATA “Welcome to We Can Play” (2001) has compiled 30 activities for play and several handouts on switch toys. The activities are available for downloading in pdf or html format. Each activity includes a description and materials needed and where to find them. The activities can be used to supplement curricular lessons to help increase play situations in the classroom through the use of technology.
The Center for Best Practices in Early Childhood Education (AT assessment tool)
This Center provides information on an assessment tool developed in 1986 and factor analyzed and renamed in 1996. The tool can be used to identify the behaviors necessary for successful peer interactions when using the computer in the preschool classroom. “One tool the Center has used to measure children’s interactions at the computer is the Universal Behavior Interaction Tool, (BIT). The BIT, an observational tool to determine children’s interactions at the computer at the beginning and end of each school year, allows observers to record children’s behaviors and interactions with a peer(s), an adult, and while using the computer alone. The BIT consists of six factors.”
Circle of Inclusion Web Site
The Project is a federally-funded collaborative initiative based out of the University of Kansas. The Circle of Inclusion Web Site is for early childhood service providers and families of young children. This Web site offers demonstrations of and information about the effective practices of inclusive educational programs for children from birth through age eight.
Early Connections: Technology in Early Childhood Education
This section of the Web site includes a description of developing effective social relationships when using the computer as a vehicle to learning and development for young children.
Funschool.com - Preschool Activities
This Web site is a colorful panorama of games and activities for preschoolers and school age children. The format to play the options requires basic computer skills such as mouse manipulation and eye-hand coordination. There are free games and coloring activities that can be played on the computer. The site might be a bit overwhelming for children with limited computer skills.
Let’s Play Web Site Resources on Play
Let’s Play Project, University at Buffalo, Center for Assistive Technology, a federally-funded project, has developed an assortment of handouts and resources on play that can be downloaded for free. There are several books and materials that are also available for purchase. The Web site offers handouts on toys and play for young children with disabilities. It also includes a tool for evaluating toys.
Sesame Street Workshop
The site provides free games involving Sesame Street characters. The tasks involved are basic preschool-level activities such as color matching, sorting, and problem solving. This Web site could be used for creating an interactive environment for children to participate in as a peer activity. The basic requirements to use the game are following simple directions and mouse control.
Tots-n-Tech (TnT) Project Ideas to Share
The TnT is a collaborative between Thomas Jefferson University In Philadelphia and Arizona State University in Tempe through a federally-funded, IDEAs at Work grant. Although the focus of the effort is on AT research in early intervention, the Web site includes several sections with brief handouts on ideas for increasing communication, mobility and play through AT. The handouts are provided by early interventionists throughout the United States. There are also resources on AT and assessment available for purchase.
Wisconsin Childcare Improvement Project
This Web site includes information on how to adapt toys and games to increase accessibility to inclusive environments. There are suggestions for adapting toys and environments. The tip sheets can be printed and reproduced at no cost.

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