The current education system faces the challenge of developing digital skills already in preschool children. The purpose of this study is to review and analyse existing research on the development of computational and technical thinking in preschool children, focusing on the use of digital tools, robotic toys, and apps that support this thinking in STEM education. The study employs a qualitative analysis and synthesis of existing research, available in scholarly, licensed databases, aimed at the use of digital tools and technologies in kindergarten. The results concluded that implementing these tools in preschool has a positive impact on the development of children’s computational and technical thinking. This meta-analysis also suggests a growing interest in digital technologies that support the development of children’s technical and digital literacy, creativity, and critical thinking. We conducted the analysis based on three dimensions: (1) the types of educational activities used in preschool age, (2) the key competencies of children developed by these approaches, and (3) the barriers that affect their efficient implementation. The findings also suggest that there is a need to improve the technical infrastructure in Slovakia, to provide training, online seminars and workshops for teachers, and to develop methodological materials to support the integration of these tools into everyday practice. Additionally, it is crucial to continue developing and implementing STEM education in kindergartens, which provides a comprehensive approach to developing children’s digital and technical skills.

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Analysis of the Current State of Children’s Technical and Computational Thinking in Kindergartens

  • Križáková Nikoleta,
  • Peter Brečka,
  • Monika Valentová

摘要

The current education system faces the challenge of developing digital skills already in preschool children. The purpose of this study is to review and analyse existing research on the development of computational and technical thinking in preschool children, focusing on the use of digital tools, robotic toys, and apps that support this thinking in STEM education. The study employs a qualitative analysis and synthesis of existing research, available in scholarly, licensed databases, aimed at the use of digital tools and technologies in kindergarten. The results concluded that implementing these tools in preschool has a positive impact on the development of children’s computational and technical thinking. This meta-analysis also suggests a growing interest in digital technologies that support the development of children’s technical and digital literacy, creativity, and critical thinking. We conducted the analysis based on three dimensions: (1) the types of educational activities used in preschool age, (2) the key competencies of children developed by these approaches, and (3) the barriers that affect their efficient implementation. The findings also suggest that there is a need to improve the technical infrastructure in Slovakia, to provide training, online seminars and workshops for teachers, and to develop methodological materials to support the integration of these tools into everyday practice. Additionally, it is crucial to continue developing and implementing STEM education in kindergartens, which provides a comprehensive approach to developing children’s digital and technical skills.