Digital Resources in Early Childhood Literacy Development

This research brief seeks to create a set of common guidelines for evaluating screen time. The brief highlights the social and academic benefits of high-quality digital technologies, such as stronger pathways for language learning, multimodal meaning making, and home–school connections. When judiciously selected and intentionally used, digital texts and tools can build children’s literacy and communication skills while preparing them for long-term academic success. The brief offers four guidelines for making decisions about how best to integrate digital technologies into early childhood contexts, including blending the use of digital and nondigital resources and building home–school connections, with concrete steps for accomplishing each, such as acting as media mentors for caregivers who may not be aware of quality interactive media resources.