The digital literacy and multimodal practices of young children

The digital literacy and multimodal practices of young children (DigiLitEy) action will create an interdisciplinary network in Europe to examine how young children’s literacy development is being shaped by changes brought about by the digitisation of communication. 

The ability to negotiate digital forms of literacy carries high stakes for life destinations but in early childhood education, literacy still tends to be approached as predominantly print-based.

The technologies through which children now engage with all forms of knowledge are constantly changing with the widespread use of an array of digital, interactive, converged and personalised devices.

These are transforming the skills and literacies needed by even the youngest children to be competent actors in the world while, at the same time, challenging the efforts of parents and teachers to support their learning.

The action will enable researchers across COST countries collectively to synthesise existing research and identify gaps in knowledge, thus avoiding duplication, fostering innovative avenues for future research and more effectively advancing knowledge in this area.

The action will also build capacity by facilitating systematic exchange between established and early-stage researchers across the network.

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Our research

Apps for play & creativity event

An event in Sheffield's Winter Gardens offered the chance for children to play and explore learning through technology. 

Pokémon Go and augmented reality

Augmented Reality Play presenting opportunities to engage children and young people in digital content creation.

Third Action meeting in Cyprus

A fascinating update on the research in children’s digital literacy practices for early years settings and schools.