By Harriet Price, ICT advisor, Homerton Nursery and Early Years Centre, Cambridge
Many of us have too many pieces of individual software which we never have time to use. Think about building up a 'core' bank of software with a few titles that you and the children can really get to know and use to their maximum benefit.
The core could include software that supports the following.
* Creativity
Consider 2Simple IVT or Tizzy's First Tools. These pieces offer a basic 'toolkit' of programs that can be used right across different areas of learning. They are user-friendly and accessible, enabling children to use the computer as a tool for creative purposes. 'Musical Leaps and Bounds'
can be used with small groups to encourage experimenting with sound.
* Mathematical and language and literacy development
The toolkits mentioned above include an early word processor that can be used for a multitude of purposes - for example, making signs, notices, labels, driving licences or passports to add to role-play. Or make recipe cards together, incorporating the children's digital pictures. '2Create a story' and 'Present' allow children to put images, text, sounds and even photos together, a great way of making shared stories with a small group or class of children.
Sherston has a large range of more content-based software to support children's mathematical development. Try 'Fizzy's First numbers', for example, to help children consolidate their understanding of numbers 1 to 9.
* Exploration and understanding about the world
Simple City encourages children to play in virtual worlds; they can test out materials in the recycling centre, or look after a pet at the vet's.
The software includes videos from different settings and is excellent as a stimulus to role play. The 'At the...' series is also intended for use in role play. A post office, vet's or doctor's surgery can be made more realistic using a laptop or computer. Remember, the software that comes with digital microscopes and cameras can also lead to greater investigations.
* Children's growing self-awareness, confidence and independence
At Homerton we load all our CDs on to a hard drive and add shortcuts to a software on the desktop, so children can choose and open programs independently. Jump Ahead Toddlers is brilliant for developing children's mouse skills and helping them to get going on a computer. Software that comes with your digital camera or Windows picture and fax viewer are excellent tools for getting more out of using digital images, and putting children right at the heart of their learning.
For more ideas follow the resources link on www.Foundation.e2bn.net.
Software suppliers
* 2Simple Infant Video Toolkit 2, 2Create a Story and Simple City www.2simple.com
* Digital microscope and digital movie maker www.tts-group.co.uk
* 'At the...' series: Cafe, Doctor's, Vet's; Musical Leaps and Bounds and Leaps and Bounds 3 www.granada-learning.com
* Tizzy's First Tools and Fizzy's First Numbers www.sherston.com
* Choose and Tell Nursery Rhymes www.inclusive.co.uk
* Revelation Natural Art www.logo.com
* Millie's Maths House www.riverdeep.net