Using Technology to Teach Foundational Writing Skills in Early Elementary Grades

Abstract

Many children leave elementary school without either skills or enthusiasm for writing, which may have negative impacts on their future academic achievement and lifelong learning. Due to the sudden impacts of COVID-19, virtual instruction, and inequities in resources, new challenges for writing instruction have emerged, which require educators to develop novel, technologically enhanced strategies for developing young writers' skills. In the present chapter, the authors provide (1) an in-depth review of the developmental trajectories of writing from birth through third-grade; (2) discuss how models of technology pedagogy, including TPACK and SAMR, may be integrated with emergent writing skills; and (3) provide strategies and resources related to technology to empower early childhood and early elementary teachers with effective writing instructional practices and digital tools. Early childhood educators may become empowered with suggestions and guidance for integrating technology with early literacy development.