Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 68: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if there are any funding resources available for the provision of ICT equipment or services for Montessori education; if he has considered providing a small level of funding for early-years education which would enhance the free pre-school scheme; his views on whether incorporating ICT into the early-years curriculum could integrate with the aims and goals of the pre-school scheme and benefit a child's development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37816/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I take it that the Deputy means to encompass all pre-school provision when he refers to Montessori Education. Montessori Education is one pedagogical approach in use in the Early Years Sector. Other pedagogical philosophies and curricula include High/Scope, Steiner, Reggio Emilia, etc. All of these curricula can operate within Aistear, the Curriculum Framework for Early Education, published by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment in 2009. Aistear is based on the image of children as unique individuals; as active, capable and competent learners in their families and communities and is based on the understanding that children learn holistically, through relationships, through play and through using language. Children need to use the three dimensional, real world to learn and to develop their thinking and exploring skills. There are academics in the UK who consider that the premature introduction and overuse of technology is damaging young children whose brains are not yet fully formed.

For my Department, the emphasis is not on ICT but on supporting the sector to acquire the necessary skills to work with young children on their social, emotional and cognitive development and on oral language competency. I don't intend to put resources in place for the provision of ICT equipment or services for Montessori education. My Department will continue to fund targeted interventions for pre-school children which supplements the free pre-school scheme.