TECHNOLOGY AND EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

Abstract

Technology has played an increasingly significant role in early childhood education, particularly in promoting language literacy and social-emotional skills. This study examines the use of educational technology in early childhood education centers and analyzes the factors that influence its implementation. An online survey was used to assess the technological resources, professional development, media literacy, and attitudes toward educational technology of 247 early childhood educators. The results indicate that the use of educational technology depends largely on educators' media literacy and attitudes toward technology. An indirect effect via media literacy further explains the association between educators' professional development and the use of educational technology. The study highlights the importance of targeting training programs and improving technological infrastructure to facilitate the effective implementation of educational technology in early childhood education.