This paper discusses the role of ICT in early childhood education in South Africa. It gives a reflection of the best practice alongside the current local status of ICT in Education. The study adopted a qualitative research method leaning more towards the interpretivist research paradigm. Desktop literature review was conducted in order to have a feel of the nature of ICT, looking at the Global, Continental (Africa) and local context. The research encompasses literature on both children and educator’s use of ICT in early childhood education and elaborates on the role of ICT with regards to teaching and learning and professional development. Key findings were that, through the adoption and proper usage of ICT, great value is added to the learning and teaching process. The study found that instead of being passive assimilators of information, learners become more engaged not only in recollection and understanding but also in application, evaluation and creation during the learning process. In order to optimise the impact of ICT in early childhood education in South Africa, the research recommended: the deployment of more ICT infrastructural resources in public primary schools, the need to train all role players on the usage of ICT, prioritisation of ICT in strategy formulation and budget allocations, introduction of learners to basic ICT skills in the lower classes, comprehensive repair and maintenance of the ICT equipment for optimal functioning, shifting focus from learner performance to capacity development, a phased approach comprised of appropriate interim targets, needs analysis have to be conducted and the measurement of progress to assess if objectives are met and taking corrective measures where deviations are experienced.
Home as a primary space: Exploring out-of-school literacy practices in early childhood education in a township in South Africa
