THE Journal: Forever Changed – Education Predictions for 2021

Posted By KinderLab Christina On January 12, 2021 in Media Coverage

Jason Innes, our Director of curriculum, training and product management, is included in THE Journal’s predictions for 2021 K-12 EdTech, where they asked a number of education leaders what they expect — or look forward to — in 2021.

We predict the resurgence of hands-on manipulatives, social-emotional development through engagement with peers, and less screen time for young children in early childhood education:

Early Learners Will Return to Hands-on
Developmentally appropriate learning for young children means concrete experiences with hands-on manipulatives, social-emotional development through engagement with peers, and — of course — less screen time. As the pandemic lifts in 2021, and educators have a chance to re-focus on what works best for each age group, early childhood education will re-center on these important benefits of hands-on learning for young children. In ed tech, a focus on in-person learning will mean choosing tools that support these proven learning styles for young children.

Standards for computer science education have been steadily expanding into pre-K–5, and this move will continue in 2021. Robotics — especially screen-free robotics — will see a resurgence in the early childhood classroom, as robots provide a concrete, hands-on foundation to build upon for early learning.

See all the predictions.