Social Media and Early Childhood Education
Social Media is an important form of
communication. Most people get their information through some sort of social
media outlet such as facebook, twitter, linkin, snapchat, etc, than from any
other source of non-verbal communication. The printed word and email seem to be
‘old school’ forms of communication. Developing policy for social media in
early childhood programs rather than responding to a negative situation is in
the best interest of the early childhood profession, the children, families and
the teachers. We need to protect the children and keep the families and
community informed. Good policies are living
breathing documents that evolve over time. Using social media effectively is
not a one-time event, there needs to be ongoing regular activity that supports
your program or policy action.
Facebook, twitter and good old fashion
flyers mailed to teachers homes are the modes of communication that I am going
to use to advertise the teacher training on the importance of play to the
development of executive function skills. The host school has also agreed to
post the flyer on their website under the early childhood tab. The local NAEYC
affiliate has also agreed to post the flyer in their website and facebook
pages.
The target audience is the cooperative preschool
teachers of the Huron district and college students in the early childhood
program at the local community college. The cooperative teachers will have
access to the schools website, an email announcement and a flyer will be sent
to each teachers home residence.
The college students will be invited via
the college web page, flyers in the hallway and through an email announcement.
Both populations will have access to
facebook and twitter as well as other early childhood teachers in the area.
Even
though social media can communicate with a large group of people instantly, it
should not replace face to face conversations and
