By Michael Hilkemeijer

 

Finding Practical and Engaging Preschool Activities Online

Mia knew exactly why she was looking for preschool activities online—she needed quick, practical ideas to keep her students engaged and build their literacy skills. As an early childhood educator, time was always a challenge. She wanted activities that were ready to use, interactive, and meaningful. However, the reality was that many of the activities she found lacked depth, making it hard to connect them to long-term literacy development.

 

At first, Mia didn’t think much about it. After all, a quick activity was better than none. But as she continued teaching, she began to realize that simply downloading activities wasn’t enough. She needed to know how to make those activities work effectively in her classroom, how to adapt them for different literacy levels, and how to make them part of a bigger learning journey.

 

That’s when Mia realized that finding structured, purposeful activities was key. Instead of just gathering one-off ideas, she needed a way to think more deeply about how to integrate technology with literacy. She learned how to not just apply the activities but think about how to make them more impactful through reflection and adaptation. The following list of literacy activities does just that. These are more than just ideas—they are practical, tech-enhanced activities that have been thoughtfully designed to support literacy skills in young learners. Plus, they include insights into how the ICT in Education Teacher Academy membership supports educators in not just using these ideas but building on them through reflection, adaptation, and community collaboration.

 

 

9 Engaging Literacy Activities Boosted with Technology

How Can Digital Storytelling with iPads Enhance Literacy Skills?

Children create and narrate their own digital storybooks using apps that combine images, text, and audio. This activity not only enhances literacy by encouraging storytelling but also develops digital literacy skills, such as recording and editing. Mia found that through the membership’s community, she could explore new apps and share ideas on how to adapt storytelling for different levels of literacy. After implementing the activity, the membership workbook prompted her to reflect on how storytelling fosters creativity and language development. It also guided her to consider how to enhance storytelling by using different multimedia elements, which led to a richer experience for her students. This activity became more than just an idea—it transformed into a purposeful learning experience.

 

 

What Makes Alphabet Tracing with Interactive Whiteboards More Engaging?

Using digital drawing tools, children trace letters and shapes on the interactive whiteboard, building letter recognition and fine motor skills. This activity stands out because it transforms traditional tracing into a dynamic, hands-on experience. Mia used the Wisdom Tool to explore new tracing apps recommended by fellow members, while the workbook prompts helped her document student progress and reflect on motor skill development. Sharing her version of the lesson in the community sparked discussions on how to adapt tracing activities for diverse literacy levels, adding depth to the activity.

 

 

How Can Voice Recording Support Story Retelling Skills?

Children record themselves retelling familiar stories using voice recording apps, which supports verbal sequencing and narrative skills. This digital approach is powerful because it allows children to listen to their own retellings and self-assess their storytelling. Mia found templates that guided her in planning voice recording sessions. Reflecting afterward using the workbook prompts, she considered how to support students who needed more guidance in sequencing their ideas. Sharing her challenges in the community led to insightful suggestions on using visual cues during recordings.

 

 

How Does Augmented Reality (AR) Bring Stories to Life?

Children use AR apps to interact with story characters, which immerses them in the narrative and fosters imaginative thinking. Mia found that AR not only captivated her students but also encouraged them to ask questions and predict story outcomes. The membership workbook provided reflection prompts on using AR effectively, helping Mia think critically about balancing digital engagement with storytelling. The community suggested apps that align specifically with storytelling goals, enriching Mia’s activity choices.

 

 

How Can Bee Bots Make Learning the Alphabet Fun?

Children program Bee Bots to move to letter mats, reinforcing letter recognition and coding skills simultaneously. The hands-on coding aspect makes this activity unique, as children actively engage in sequencing while learning the alphabet. Mia learned how to extend this activity through the Wisdom Tool, incorporating simple word building by moving the Bee Bot from one letter to the next. Reflecting on the lesson using workbook prompts, she noted the importance of balancing coding concepts with literacy outcomes. Community discussions helped her find creative ways to integrate word games with the Bee Bot.

 

 

How Can Digital Puppet Theatre Boost Storytelling Skills?

Children design digital puppets and record story performances, combining digital creativity with literacy. Mia found that giving children the freedom to create their own puppet characters sparked their imagination, leading to richer storytelling experiences. After implementing the activity, the reflective prompts guided her to think about how digital puppetry supports verbal expression and narrative skills. Discussing the outcomes in the community inspired new ideas for linking puppetry with language development, making the activity not just fun but deeply educational.

 

 

Why Use Interactive Story Mapping for Comprehension?

Children use digital tools to visually map story plots, linking characters and events. This approach not only helps children understand story structure but also encourages critical thinking. Mia shared her story mapping ideas in the community, where other members suggested using multimedia elements like images and sounds. Reflecting afterward, the workbook encouraged her to evaluate how story mapping strengthened comprehension skills and how the use of multimedia enriched storytelling.

 

 

How Can Blogging Engage Young Writers?

Children publish simple stories on class blogs, learning to write for an audience while developing digital literacy. Mia saw the value in giving children a platform to share their ideas, and the reflective prompts guided her in planning blog sessions that balanced creativity with safety. The community’s practical advice on maintaining a classroom blog helped her manage digital storytelling effectively while ensuring online safety. Blogging became more than just a digital activity—it nurtured pride in writing and encouraged children to think about their audience.

 

 

How Do Multimedia Story Presentations Enhance Communication?

Children create multimedia presentations using text, images, and audio, developing digital communication skills while practicing literacy. Mia used guided reflection prompts to think critically about how to scaffold multimedia projects, making them accessible for different ability levels. Community feedback offered tips on incorporating family involvement by sharing presentations online, making the activity both educational and community-focused.

 

 

 

Why Is Digital Literacy Important in Early Childhood Education?

In today's technology-driven world, fostering digital literacy in early childhood education is essential. Young learners are increasingly exposed to digital tools both at home and in the classroom, making it crucial for educators to plan meaningful digital literacy activities that promote critical thinking, creativity, and communication.

 

Digital literacy in early years settings, including EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage), focuses on helping children understand how to use technology safely and effectively. This early exposure not only builds foundational skills but also prepares children for a future where digital competency is key. From using interactive whiteboards for digital storytelling to engaging with simple coding apps, integrating technology thoughtfully is vital.

 

Best Digital Literacy Activities for Preschoolers

To make digital literacy engaging, it’s important to choose age-appropriate activities that align with developmental stages. Here are some of the most effective digital literacy activities for 3-5 year olds:

• Digital Story Creation: Using tablets or interactive whiteboards, children create simple digital storybooks that combine images, text, and audio. These digital literacy activities for preschoolers enhance language skills and introduce basic multimedia literacy.

• Voice Recording Narratives: Children record their own stories or recitations, practicing both literacy and digital communication. These activities fit well into digital literacy lesson plans aimed at developing oral language skills.

• Augmented Reality Story Exploration: Bringing stories to life through AR apps helps children interact with story characters and settings. It’s an innovative way to combine storytelling with technology.

• Interactive Alphabet Games: Utilizing apps that allow children to trace letters and hear sounds fosters both traditional literacy and digital interaction, making it a dual-purpose activity.

Integrating Technology Activities for Preschoolers

When planning technology activities for preschoolers, it’s essential to ensure that they are purposeful and support core literacy skills. The goal is not just to use technology but to integrate it in ways that enhance learning outcomes. Mia found that using structured digital literacy activities early years helped her students engage more deeply with literacy concepts, from recognizing letters on a digital board to narrating stories using voice apps.

 

To support educators in this journey, the ICT in Education Teacher Academy offers comprehensive digital literacy lesson plans designed specifically for the early years. These plans not only include engaging activities but also practical guidance on integrating technology in a way that supports literacy development.

By embedding digital literacy activities for students into daily practice, early childhood educators can foster a balanced approach to technology use—one that nurtures both digital skills and literacy growth.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Transforming Literacy Activities into Lasting Learning

After implementing these activities, Mia realized that literacy integration with technology wasn’t just about finding the right apps or tools. It was about planning with purpose, reflecting on teaching practices, and continuously seeking new ideas. The difference came when she began to see each activity not as a one-off task but as a part of a bigger picture of literacy development.

 

Mia started to think more critically about how each activity connected to her students' literacy growth. Through the membership workbook, she learned to break down the components of each lesson, reflect on the outcomes, and plan for future improvements. One of the most valuable aspects of this process was using guided prompts to evaluate how well her students engaged with the content and what could be adjusted to support different literacy levels.

 

Moreover, the support of the community was instrumental in transforming her approach. By sharing her experiences and receiving feedback, Mia gained insights that she hadn't considered before. For instance, after trying the Bee Bot Alphabet Adventure, she shared her challenge of keeping all students engaged. Fellow members suggested integrating storytelling with coding, guiding the Bee Bot to spell out simple words, which made the activity more meaningful for the children.

 

Another key element was the Wisdom Tool, which posed questions that encouraged Mia to think about how she could scaffold the activities for diverse learners. Instead of just repeating the same activity, she started varying the complexity, making it accessible for both beginners and more advanced students. This differentiation was crucial in maintaining motivation and building skills progressively.

 

The combination of structured reflection, community insights, and practical tools helped Mia shift from merely implementing activities to thoughtfully integrating them into her literacy curriculum.

 

 

How the Membership Supports Transforming Literacy Activities

Membership Feature	How It Supports Transformation	Example
Membership Workbook	Guides reflective practice by prompting critical questions about activities.	Mia used the workbook to reflect on how digital storytelling enhanced creativity.
Community Collaboration	Offers feedback and diverse perspectives on implementing literacy activities.	After sharing the Bee Bot Alphabet Adventure, Mia received ideas on integrating word-building.
Wisdom Tool	Encourages thoughtful planning by suggesting scaffolding techniques.	Mia used it to find ways to adapt voice recording for different literacy levels.
Professional Workshops	Provides structured guidance on integrating technology with literacy.	Mia attended a session on using AR to enhance storytelling.

 

By leveraging these features, Mia learned to go beyond just applying an activity, focusing instead on how to make it more purposeful and impactful. This transformation not only enriched her teaching practice but also positively influenced her students' literacy development. This mindset change made her teaching more purposeful, helping her students develop literacy skills more consistently and effectively.

 

By embracing a growth-oriented approach, Mia transformed her classroom practice, moving beyond just finding quick ideas to building a cohesive and reflective teaching strategy. The impact on her students' literacy development was evident, as they became more engaged, confident, and creative in expressing themselves through both traditional and digital means.

 

After implementing these activities, Mia realized that literacy integration with technology wasn’t just about finding the right apps or tools. It was about planning with purpose, reflecting on teaching practices, and continuously seeking new ideas. By using reflective prompts and collaborative feedback, she gained insights into how to make technology work for her literacy goals, keeping her teaching fresh, adaptive, and rooted in best practices.

 

 

 

Moving from Activity Seeker to Transformative Educator

Early childhood educators searching for literacy activities for preschoolers often start with the desire for quick and practical solutions. However, as Mia discovered, simply downloading ideas is not enough to create lasting literacy development. The real impact comes from using these activities thoughtfully, integrating technology in purposeful ways, and reflecting on their effectiveness.

Becoming a transformative educator means moving beyond just finding activities to building a mindset of continuous growth and innovation. It’s about turning every literacy task into an opportunity for meaningful learning, guided by structured reflection and collaborative support.

 

The journey doesn’t end with applying an activity—it’s about making each lesson a stepping stone toward greater literacy outcomes. This is where the membership makes a difference, offering not just resources but a roadmap for reflective practice, professional growth, and lasting impact.

 

 

Are you ready to take your teaching to the next level by moving from simply gathering ideas to developing your professional capacity as an educator?

Start your journey today by accessing our preschool activities online by the joining the ICT in Education Teacher Academy and transform how you teach literacy in the early years.