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Guiding Principle 1: Complement children's learning experiences
The use of ICT should complement children’s learning and be developmentally appropriate.
Last updated 29 May 2025
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What is Guiding Principle (GP) 1 of the ICT Guidelines?
Why is it important to apply Guiding Principle 1?
Learning through concrete and sensory experiences that promote quality interactions is essential to children’s learning and development. Hence, the use of ICT should complement children’s real-life exploration, outdoor activities, play and social interactions as this would have a positive impact on children’s holistic development.
How can you apply Guiding Principle 1?
To apply GP1 effectively, you can:
Ensure that the use of ICT does not replace children’s real-life exploration through the use of their five senses.
Integrate ICT only if it enhances or adds value to children's learning experiences.
Ensure that the use of ICT aligns with the learning objectives of the activity and will enhance children's learning experiences. For example, instead of only showing a video clip of an action song, lead in singing and demonstrating the movements to the children.
Avoid using screens to occupy children's time or distract them during routines and transitions, such as arrival, dismissal and mealtime.
Use developmentally appropriate digital media to complement and enrich children's learning. For example, show children video recordings of themselves demonstrating a jumping skill to review the body movements and discuss how to do it better.
Choose applications, software, or technological toys that offer options and choices, providing open-ended learning experiences for children.
Put in place routines and expectations for children to share the use of an ICT tool or resource with their friends (e.g., 1 device to two or more children) as this fosters social interaction and collaboration.
Create a positive learning environment where children feel comfortable making mistakes and seeking help from each other or their teacher when encountering difficulties in using the ICT tool.