Multisensory learning, interactive features, and personalization are key benefits
According to the latest Alfabetiza Brasil survey, only four out of ten children in Brazil are properly literate. The survey, released in May by the Ministry of Education, also showed a decline compared to 2019, from 60.3% to 43.6% of children.
In addition to the investments announced by the government to change the country's educational landscape, technology can also be a great ally in the literacy process.
Quinyx, a company that provides educational technology products, has tools such as the Digital Table that play a significant role in children's literacy, offering interactive and engaging approaches.
Among the benefits, she highlights multisensory learning, playful interactivity, personalization of the process, immediate feedback, visual and phonetic association, development of motor coordination, vocabulary expansion, preparation for reading and writing, access to diverse resources, and motivation to learn.
Combining visual, auditory, and tactile elements, the equipment reinforces the association between letters, sounds, and shapes, while the playful nature of the activities captivates children's attention. In addition, digital tools can be adapted to individual needs and offer resources such as stories, games, and puzzles. All of this enriches children's learning experience, making literacy more engaging, interactive, and accessible.
Apps as allies
To enhance the use of digital tools in the classroom, families can also use apps developed specifically for this stage. One of them is Letrix, in which letters of the alphabet are presented randomly, and you have to recognize them, identify them among the options presented, and select them, then rescue them before they hit the floor.
In the Literacy Quiz, the mediator can create questions aligned with the classroom content. It is possible to register several questions. There is also MemoLetras, a vowel memory game, which allows you to choose the level of difficulty by increasing the number of cards.
Knowing that children's use of screens is a concern and deserves careful consideration, Liliane explains that the recommended age for using the Digital Table may vary depending on the specific characteristics of the context and the child's abilities.
Generally, the Digital Table is recommended for children aged three and up. At this stage, they are beginning to develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination, which allows them to interact more effectively with the touchscreen. Supervised use is always recommended to ensure that the experience is safe and appropriate.
The benefits also extend to slightly older children, even preteens, depending on the activities and apps available. The executive says the tool can be adapted with educational and entertainment possibilities for various stages of development. Parents and educators can select appropriate content for each age group, focusing on activities that stimulate cognitive, motor, and emotional development as children grow and develop autonomy and discernment skills.
It is important to recognize that each child is unique and may have different needs in terms of screen time so that the use of equipment and/or applications can be allies in the educational process, effectively enhancing pedagogical practices and providing an interactive and meaningful learning environment.
Ana Cristina, technical director of ANATO Occupational Therapy Center in Tramandaí (RS), says that the experience with the Digital Table has been very positive. “We serve children and adolescents, most of whom have many limitations and developmental deficits. With various applications, the Table has enabled us to cater to the interests of all the children and adolescents who are assisted here," she says.
In addition to learning, she says that students have fun and acquire motor, cognitive, and social skills. "It's an excellent resource that definitely adds a lot more quality to the work we offer here," she adds.