The Importance of Using Technology in Schools at an Early Age
The Importance of Using Technology in Schools at an Early Age
Technology has become so prevalent in our society that everywhere you look; you’re surrounded by it. Whether it’s in our homes, our cars, our pockets, or in our schools, you can’t avoid it. While there can be many drawbacks of technology if not monitored or used correctly, there are many reasons why it’s so crucial for our young children to engage with tech in a developmentally appropriate way.
At The Willows, we use technology in all grades as a tool to enhance and supplement our curriculum.

Technology Engages Students

By incorporating technology into the classroom, it can help transform the mundane into the extraordinary. The book report that was once done on paper can now have QR codes and interactive pictures when combined with cutting edge technology. The history lesson on the Gold Rush in 5th grade can be presented by using Scratch, a block-based coding program, which can make the project come alive with sounds, graphics, and lights. All these different uses of technology in the classroom make students become active participants in their own learning.
Technology Facilitates Communication
Through programs like Google Docs, Google Classroom, Zoom, and Seesaw, students are now able to communicate with peers, teachers, and professionals via technology. The ability to communicate with a marine biologist in Antarctica or an astronaut in space has never been easier. Students using technology can easily collaborate, review, and participate with individuals and experts from all over the world with just a simple click.
Technology Opens the World
What was once only accessible by plane, students can now travel the world via the Internet. Learning about the world and different cultures is easier now than ever before. Classes have established pen pals with students in other countries and have been able to learn about each other’s cultures through technology. Google Maps, museums, and libraries have created virtual tours and 3D maps that allow children to explore cities and historic landmarks almost anywhere in the world from your computer screen.
Technology Prepares Students for the Future

Our world is constantly changing and evolving. We must prepare our students to learn in different ways and through different means. Introducing cutting edge technology at school gives students the opportunity to engage, experiment, and experience technology that will be needed for them to succeed in the future.
Technology Helps with Multi-Step Directions
Following directions step-by-step is an integral part of the classroom and work environment. Students need to be equipped with the ability to recall, listen, and follow through a series of instructions. Traditionally, younger students spend a lot of time in the classroom working on this skill through games and songs in the classroom. Now, technology can assist with that. The new trend of learning to code in elementary school focuses on how students learn cause and effect, sequencing, and critical thinking skills. These skills are supplemented through technology that requires students to follow multi-step directions and problem solve to get the intended result.
As technology becomes an integral part of how we work and live, we must adapt to how we teach and how to use technology in a developmentally appropriate way to supplement learning. Teaching our students technology at an early age will better prepare them for the future and create new opportunities for meaningful learning experiences inside and outside of the classroom. The Willows, always embracing new technology, adapts to the ever-changing environment of society to best support and prepare our students for success.
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How do you provide an education that prepares students not just for school, but for life? By providing meaningful experiences. From the moment students step into our classrooms in Developmental Kindergarten to the day they graduate in 8th Grade, they embark on an engaging educational journey that shapes their character, nurtures their creativity, and builds their skills for life beyond school.
Each grade at The Willows offers unique opportunities that define a student’s journey and contribute to who they become as learners and citizens. These signature experiences are deeply rooted in our mission to cultivate curiosity, collaboration, and confidence in every child.
Here are 10 experiences—one for each grade—that Willows student will experience before graduation.