New resources show how tablets can aid literacy

New research from the National Literacy Trust (NLT) compared the way parents use touchscreens to read at home with children, with their use in early years settings. It found early years practitioners are less confident in using them with children than parents.

In the survey of 1,000 parents of three- to five-year-olds, nearly all (97 per cent) had a touchscreen device at home, such as a smartphone or tablet computer. Meanwhile, access to touchscreens in early years settings is up, from 41 per cent in 2014 to 58 per cent in 2015.

However, fewer early years practitioners used touchscreens to share stories with children in their care in 2015 (41 per cent) than in 2014 (49 per cent). And of those who did, just over half (55 per cent) said they were confident doing so, compared with 82 per cent who said they were confident using books.

The NLT has published new resources to support the use of technology as an early communication, language and literacy aid – produced as part of the HELLO (Helping Early Language and Literacy Outcomes) programme, funded by the Department for Education.
While the NLT would not advise tablet use over books, the report acknowledges its role in supporting more reluctant readers, particularly boys.

The NLT argues it does not matter if children are getting into reading via tablets because the benefits outweigh the negatives.

Charlotte Billington, project manager of the early years team at the NLT, said, ‘It’s interesting to see the impact of technology. We found that boys spend more time on touchscreens, but it’s really positive that they’re using tablets to engage in reading longer.’

She added, ‘Technology is everywhere and young children are increasingly using touchscreens. However, early years practitioners are not using technology to the same degree as parents and only half are confident doing so to develop children’s early communication skills – although using technology can particularly benefit boys and disadvantaged children.’

The HELLO project worked with teaching schools and nurseries to develop best practice videos (see below).

Using tablets
The research also found that parents are not using tablets to read with children in the same way as they use a physical printed book. The NLT found a lack of guidance and has created an ‘apps guide’ in response.

Ms Billington said, ‘We looked at areas in the EYFS – communication, language and literacy, speaking, reading and writing – to support children’s literacy learning. There are some brilliant story apps but also others that are more creative and open-ended.’

She added that some story apps, for example those created by developer Nosy Crow, are ‘quite interactive, family fairy tales… but if parents aren’t confident, there’s not as much interactivity. There’s lots of advice and tips, but tablets aren’t a replacement for adult interaction.’

Ms Billington said parents should share stories with children using a tablet in the same way they use books – by asking questions and building up vocabulary. ‘If you are using a touchscreen, think how you model your behaviour,’ she added.