“Language and literacy development are major strengths of technology use with young children through the opportunities and motivation it provides,” says a free By Request booklet from the Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory. Technology in Early Childhood Education: Finding the Balance says that instead of socially isolating a child and inhibiting language development, research shows the contrary. Looking at a variety of studies, booklet authors Judy Van Scoter, Debbie Ellis, and Jennifer Railsback report researchers' findings, among them:

• Computer play encourages longer, more complex speech and the development of fluency.
• Children tend to narrate what they are doing as they draw pictures or move objects and characters around on the screen.
• Young children interacting at computers engage in high levels of spoken communication and cooperation, such as turn-taking and peer collaboration.

The authors also find that locating computers with appropriate software in the classroom, rather than in a computer lab, offers richer learning opportunities with greater developmental gains.

Along with discussing technology and child development, Technology in Early Childhood Education: Finding the Balance gives a snapshot of technology use in some preschool and primary grade classrooms in the Northwest. Each of these sites has its own approach, but all share a common philosophy: With proper use, technology enhances learning for children.