Live Virtual Sessions with Toddlers and Preschoolers amid COVID-19: Implications for Early Childhood Teacher Education

Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education. P.O. Box 719, Waynesville, NC 28786. Tel: 828-246-9558; Fax: 828-246-9557; e-mail: [email protected]; Web site: http://www.aace.org

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Preservice Teacher Education; Early Childhood Teachers; Toddlers; Preschool Children; Disease Control; Online Courses; Distance Education; Educational Technology; Family Involvement; Faculty Development; Access to Computers; Technological Literacy; COVID-19; Pandemics; School Closing

1059-7069

This paper shares reflections on over 50 live Zoom instructional lessons with toddlers and preschoolers amid the first three weeks of school closures due to COVID-19 in the State of Florida. Reflections resulted in three themes: 1) implementing digital sessions with young children; 2) establishing and maintaining home-based child engagement through technology; and 3) ensuring family involvement/engagement through technology. Implications and research recommendations are provided for early childhood teacher education programs and in-service professional development opportunities to ensure that teachers are better prepared for teaching and learning in an online environment.

As Provided

2020

EJ1257409