Digital Citizenship for Kindergarten

In kindergarten, it’s hard to have the kids use a lot of technology, while still keeping control over the class and staying on course with curriculum. Knowing that they will continue using and learning about different technologies at home and school, it is still so important to embed digital citizenship skills into their learning that they can use in their kindergarten year and beyond!

• You can teach different skills during your every day lessons
• Display how YOU use technology to the kids while you do it, and explain out loud what you are thinking and doing
• The kids learn quickly – if you can solve a problem you encounter while using technology, talk through it as you fix it, so they can begin learning and understanding what to do if they encounter a problem

*When using their Chromebooks, even if they need support, put them in charge of pressing the buttons to get to where they need to go. We learn by doing, not watching! They will learn quickly, too.

*When searching something on Google, talk through your steps out loud. What words do they think they should search? Why would that be helpful or not? Would every link that pops up be a good source? Talk through your thinking so they can start to get an understanding, too

*Can you add in a digital citizenship skill at the end of your second step lesson? Quick things like: would you share your location with online ‘friends?’ Why or why not? How can you be safe online? Etc. There are so many grade level posters you can walk through and post in the classroom about digital citizenship

There are so many ways to incorporate digital citizenship into your daily teaching. It can be quick things on the fly, or more in depth, with independent practice (as you monitor and support, of course!). Please, reach out if you have any questions or want to brainstorm through more ideas of how to add these skills to your daily lessons!

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