On 28 May 2024, a new session of the expert webinars series was held, organised by the National eTwinning Unit INDIRE in collaboration with the Generazioni Connesse project (Safer Internet Centre Italy).

Childhood is a crucial stage of growth and development, and the introduction of digital devices has brought both challenges and opportunities. The webinar “Digital Tools for Early Childhood (0–6)” encouraged participants to reflect on the risks and possibilities linked to the use of digital devices during early childhood, and on the importance of finding a balanced approach to integrate technology within innovative educational practices.

On one hand, excessive use of digital devices could slow down cognitive development, deprive children of sensory and interactive experiences essential for learning, reduce face-to-face interactions, and weaken social and emotional skills. On the other hand, digital tools offered new learning opportunities and the development of digital skills that are vital for the future. They also enabled children to maintain emotional bonds through messaging platforms and social media when in-person contact was not possible.

Speakers

• Michele Marangi – lecturer in educational technology and peer&media education, Università Cattolica di Milano; member of CREMIT
• Mascia Bandini – early childhood teacher, IC Cotignola (RA)
• Alessandro Serra – USR Emilia-Romagna – Marconi TSI / territorial training team

Moderators

• Alexandra Tosi and Konstantinos Ladopoulos, National eTwinning Unit INDIRE

Target audience: teachers, educators and school leaders of all levels, with a special focus on early childhood education.

More information is available on the website of Generazioni Connesse.