By Michael Hilkemeijer
Today’s young children are growing up in a digital-first world, where screens, apps, and devices are an integral part of their learning experiences.
As an early childhood educator, you play a crucial role in helping children navigate digital learning effectively. But what about their parents?
Parent involvement in early childhood education is essential in ensuring that children’s technology experiences are positive, developmentally appropriate, and balanced. Parental involvement in the use of technology in an early childhood setting ensures continuity between home and school digital experiences, helping children develop healthy tech habits early on.
However, many educators struggle with how to engage families in digital learning.
That’s where the ICT in Education Teacher Academy and its exclusive membership workbook come in.
Inside the workbook, members gain step-by-step guidance on:
- Effectively communicating with parents about digital learning
- Understanding home technology experiences
- Encouraging responsible digital play
- Addressing concerns about screen time & online safety
- Developing school-home partnerships for tech integration
In addition, members gain access to the exclusive podcast "Navigating the Digital Jungle" by Sue Atkins, featuring expert discussions on managing technology in family life.
Let’s explore why parent involvement is critical and how the ICT in Education Teacher Academy can help you confidently navigate these conversations.
The Importance of Parental Involvement in Early Childhood Education
Research shows that when parents actively participate in early education, children:
- Develop stronger cognitive and social skills
- Show greater engagement and enthusiasm for learning
- Are better prepared for primary school and beyond
However, lack of parental involvement in early childhood education can lead to:
⚠️ Inconsistent learning experiences between home and school
⚠️ Increased screen time concerns without structured guidance
⚠️ Parents feeling unsure about how to support technology use at home
This is why engaging parents in digital learning is crucial—and the ICT in Education Teacher Academy workbook provides structured activities that:
- Help you assess children’s home tech experiences
- Provide reflection prompts for parent-teacher discussions
- Offer strategies to bridge school-home digital learning
📖 Membership Workbook Section: Engaging Parents in Digital Learning
- Practical guides on how to introduce technology to families
- Templates for recording home-school communication
- Checklists for evaluating children’s digital literacy skills
"Navigating the Digital Jungle" Podcast – Supporting Parents in the Digital Age
As part of the ICT in Education Teacher Academy, members gain access to Sue Atkins' exclusive podcast, where she discusses real-world digital parenting challenges.
🌟 Season 1 Topics:
🔹 Episode 1: Smartphone Safari – Helping parents set boundaries on screen time.
🔹 Episode 2: Understanding the Digital Landscape – FOMO and Phones – Supporting digital wellbeing for families.
🔹 Episode 3: Mental Wellness for Kids in the Digital World – How to address tech-related anxiety in children.
🔹 Episode 4: Behind the Selfie: Girls, Social Media & Self-Esteem – Helping parents navigate online pressures.
🔹 Episode 6: Digital Defenders: Standing Tall Against Cyberbullies – Strategies for supporting children in dealing with online threats.
🔹 Episode 8: Toddlers and Tech – The role of technology in early learning.
🌟 Season 2 Topics:
🔹 Episode 1: Schools Without Screens: A Global Movement for Change – Understanding screen-free learning models.
🔹 Episode 2: Digital Empathy: Teaching Compassion in a Virtual World – Helping children develop social-emotional skills online.
🔹 Episode 3: The Price of Protection: Snooping vs Spying – Where Should Parents Draw the Line? – Encouraging healthy tech boundaries at home.
🔹 Episode 5: Breaking the Silence – Addressing Online Risks – Discussing self-harm, online safety, and digital risks.
🎧 Every episode provides practical insights to help educators better support families—and when combined with the workbook, it creates a powerful toolkit for guiding parents.
📖 Membership Workbook Section
Supporting Families in Managing Technology at Home
- Activity prompts to help parents assess their child’s tech use
- Guides for setting up structured digital play experiences
- Reflection exercises on screen time and digital wellbeing
👨👩👧👦 How to Strengthen Home-School Digital Partnerships
Inside the ICT in Education Teacher Academy workbook, members receive customizable templates and strategies to enhance parent involvement.
💡 Key strategies from the workbook include:
✔️ Communicating regularly with parents about technology use in school
✔️ Providing families with resources on digital safety and literacy
✔️ Encouraging co-learning activities where parents engage in tech play with children
✔️ Hosting digital literacy workshops to address parent concerns
📖 Membership Workbook Section
Developing an ICT Policy That Involves Families
🚀 Ready to Take Action? Here’s Your Next Step
If you’re passionate about supporting families in digital learning, the ICT in Education Teacher Academy provides everything you need:
✔️ The full membership workbook – your step-by-step roadmap to digital learning success
✔️ Expert-led workshops on parent engagement & digital play strategies
✔️ Exclusive access to Sue Atkins' podcast on navigating digital parenting
✔️ Done-for-you lesson plans to implement best practices in your classroom
✔️ Step-by-step guide on drafting an inclusive ICT policy
✔️ Reflection prompts on ensuring equity in digital learning
✔️ Guidelines for parent engagement in decision-making
By actively involving parents, we create stronger learning environments where children feel supported both at school and at home.
👇👇👇Click Here to Join Today & Unlock Your Resources!👇👇👇
$20 AUD per month or $200 AUD per year (2 months FREE)