Footsteps2Brilliance:

Integrating Technology to Support Pre-

Reading Skills in Pre-Kindergarten Students

Presenter: Ebone Bonham

Quick Introductions
•Completed: Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary
Studies (ECE)
•Pursuing Masters in Education in Curriculum &
Instruction (ECE)
•Past: Texas Child Care Licensing Inspector
•Currently: Early Childhood Mentor
By the end of this presentation
participants will…
1. Identify 3 Emergent Literacy-
Reading and Technology skills of
the Texas Pre-Kindergarten
Guidelines Learning
2. Name 3 Footsteps2Brilliance Objectives
mobile applications
3. Use 3 strategies to implement
Footsteps2Brilliance as a
supplemental curriculum
Benefits of
Technology Integration
“…interactive and allow the child to develop
their curiosity, problem solving and
independent thinking skills.”
Kimberly Moore & Bruce Perry,
Scholastic

“They provide a way to visually represent

numerous real-world situations and identify
patterns in data; therefore, they enhance
problem solving skills in the learning
process”
Arjuna Ranasinghe & Diane Leisher, 2009

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY

 • Electronic devices (i.e. tablets,
Current SMART boards, laptops, computers)
• Ed Tech Tools
Classroom • Cameras

Practices • Digital storytelling

• Early robotics
Texas Pre-Kindergarten Guidelines
Emergent Literacy: Reading
Alphabet Knowledge Skills
• Names the first letter of their
name
• Identifies the letter associated
with the sound of the first letters
of their name
• Produces the correct sound for
the first letter of their name
Technology
• Opens and navigates through digital
learning applications and programs
• Uses, operates, and names a variety of
digital tools
• Uses digital learning applications and
programs to create digital products and
express own ideas
• Uses technology to access appropriate
information
• Practices safe behavior while using
digital tools and resources
“…proven to help children learn to read.”

Footsteps2Brilliance
• Mobile literacy applications
• Clever Kids University Pre-K (Pre-Reader)
• Clever Kids University I Can Read
• Footsteps2Brilliance School Edition
• Comprehensive curriculum in English and
Spanish
• Books, songs, and games
• Track students’ learning and use data to direct
classroom instruction
 “…100 percent of the English language learners who have
taken the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test since the
initiative started are now at the 5-year-old level.”
Jennifer Demski, 2013

“…a powerful new bilingual, English and Spanish, app by

Footsteps2Brilliance designed specifically to help parents
Scholarly and teachers prepare pre-schoolers for kindergarten.”

Reviews
Honorable Mention in 2018 Awards of Excellence
Contest
Tech & Learning, December 2018/January 2019

“The appealing presentation motivates children to ‘hear the

stories again and again’…”
Greg Thompson, November 2014
 1. Introduce tablets and apps during whole
Getting Started group activities
2. Facilitate games in small groups
3. Create a technology learning center
Helpful Reminders
• Be intentional on integrating new
technology in the classroom
• Treat as a supplemental curriculum
resource
• Model wanted behavior during
whole and small group time
• Monitor and facilitate learning
during center time
Consider DAP
• Commonality
• Understanding children’s
development and learning
• Individuality
• Characteristics and
experiences of each child
• Context
• Social and cultural of
each student, teacher, and
the learning program
Resources
• 2018 AWARDS of EXCELLENCE TECH & LEARNING Finalists. (2018). Tech & Learning, 39(5), 14-25.
• Demski, J. (2013). 5 Best practices of tech-leading superintendents: members of the League of Innovative Schools share the
secrets of their success in implementing and maintaining tech initiatives. THE Journal: Technological Horizons in Education,
40(12), 25-.
• Footsteps2Brilliance, Inc. (2018). Teacher Guide.
• Moore, K. & Perry, B. (n.d.). Using Technology in the Early Childhood Classroom. Scholastic.
https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/articles/teaching-content/using-technology-early-childhood-classroom/
• NAEYC. (n.d.). Core Considerations to Inform Decision Making. https://www.naeyc.org/resources/position-statements/dap/core-
considerations
• Photographs issued under Creative Commons
• Ranasinghe, A.I., & Leisher, D. (2009). The benefit of integrating technology into the classroom. In International Mathematical
Forum (Vol. 4, No. 40, pp. 1955-1961). http://www.m-hikari.com/imf-password2009/37-40-2009/ranasingheIMF37-40-2009.pdf
• Texas Education Agency. (22 Dec, 2015). TEXAS Prekindergarten Guidelines. pg. 72-73, 122-123.
https://tea.texas.gov/sites/default/files/PKG_Final_2015_navigation.pdf
• Thompson, G. (2014). 3 tech tools that boost early literacy: these forward-thinking districts are using software and mobile
devices to help close the achievement gap before it’s too late. THE Journal: Technological Horizons in Education, 41(11), 10-.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC