YWCA embraces technology integrating tablets into its preschool program
Over at the Y.W.C.A., a group of pre-schoolers are being introduced to technology at an early age. The “Y” successfully secured a set of forty tablets which is now at the disposal of the young children. It is the first time the tablets will be used and is likely to strengthen the programme. The donation was made by a U.S. citizen residing in Houston, Texas. Here is Dalila Ical with a report.
Dalila Ical, Reporting
This year the three and four year old children joining the YWCA preschool program will surely be having a different experience as they take their first step into their future careers.
For the first time, the YWCA is integrating technology into its curriculum.
Diana Gomez Peyrefitte, General Secretary, YWCA
Diana Gomez Peyrefitte
“We are excited about this new addition. Our children use tablets, use smart phones. They are technologically savy. We believe and I believe it in the Y that we embrace it in the classroom. No use to run from it because the children know how to use them. We got a donation for forty tablets. We have or will have close to 200 preschoolers so we have four year olds and three year olds and so they will share.”
It took the initiative of a few who dreamed big and it was only a matter of days before the school received the support it sought through one donor.
Diana Gomez Peyrefitte
“The ministry had asked us, the preschool unit had asked us and we jumped on the idea. One of our preschool teachers, Mrs. Hemmans thought she could get us access to somebody who would so she connected us to the Belize Vice Counsel in Houston and that is how the ball started rolling. We started communicating. She threw it out through Mrs. Leandra Thompson through the Chamber of Commerce in Houston and within a week or less we had a donor.”
Nicole Curette, Donor
Nicole Curette
“I have visited Belize with the country regional chamber of commerce several times. I have witness the eagerness of the children in Belize to learn and when I received the request, I felt compelled and blessed to be able to help bring technology, to help bring technology to them”
The school is taking necessary measures to ensure the new tool is used as effectively as possible with the little ones.
Diana Peyrefitte
“I think in the preschool setting we need to make sure its controlled. We will make sure its controlled. And so it is not like they come to school and they will be on a tablet all day. That is not the idea. It’s a portion of time and the ministry will help us determine that time. No more than fifteen twenty minutes for the day when they will have an activity on the tablet. So, the tablet will be solely used for educational purposes. We will be working with the preschool unit to have the proper links and download the proper app and our teachers will go through a training so that they understand how to use it themselves and how to control the children using it because yes we know. Lots of parents complain about they wanted to come to school with their tablets and when I take it away they bawl. So we know that that is going to be an issue but I think control will be a key factor and the children are well behaved for the most part when they are properly monitored so I don’t foresee a major problem. I am hoping that it will be an excitement for them to come to school knowing that a portion of the day they will be able to work on a tablet.”
