Harnessing technology - A review of digital tools supporting parents and the early childhood workforce

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by James

Digital tools have become increasingly prevalent in supporting early childhood development (ECD) globally, with the COVID-19 pandemic accelerating demand as childcare facilities and related ECD programs closed. This report examines technology-enabled tools for children ages 0–5 and their parents, caregivers, and early childhood workforce worldwide, analyzing features, objectives, practices, and success factors. It synthesizes desk review and interviews, presents thematic case studies and an interactive database, and delivers recommendations spanning design, implementation, dissemination, partnerships, engagement, and monitoring and evaluation.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages27

Reading Time1 h 8 min

AccessFree to download

Acknowledgements

Executive summary

Introduction

Methods And limitations

Current ecosystem

Key findings

Recommendations

Annex: Case studies

References

Harnessing technology A review of digital tools supporting parents and the early childhood workforce Table of Contents Acknowledgements 2 Executive summary 2 Introduction 3 Methods And limitations 4 Current ecosystem 4 Key findings 11 Recommendations 17 Annex: Case studies 18 References 24 Harnessing technology | A review of digital tools supporting parents and the early childhood workforce 1 Acknowledgements This report was prepared by a team at Results for Development including Vidya Putcha, Shreya Prakash, Michelle Neuman, Rebekka Flam, Mark Roland, and Daniel Plaut. The authors are grateful for feedback and guidance from Laura Ochoa Foschini, Darja Dobermann, Sam Sternin, and Hannah Rothschild at the Bernard van Leer Foundation. Chris Wolf, Lucy Player, and Hayley Walsh at Wolf & Player provided excellent design and web development support. The following individuals provided invaluable insights: Giulia Besana (D-Tree International), Creptone Madunda (DTree International), Camilla Mohabat (D-Tree International), Nilushka Perera (Best Beginnings), Yasmin Morgan (Best Beginnings), Leila Khatouri (Best Beginnings), Harrison Baker (Philips Digital), Sara Mauskopf (Winnie), Luis Garza (Kinedu), Jamie McTavish (Kinedu), Andreana Castellanos (Afinidata), Mariana Pedrosa (Allma Hub), Maria Mazzucchelli (Allma Hub), Sheetal Singh (Start Early), Brenda Campos (Sesame Workshop), Jocelyn Negrete (Sesame Workshop), Ana Sofia Cantú-Miller (Sesame Workshop), Luisa Lozano (Sesame Workshop), Carolina Casas (Sesame Workshop), Cristina Gutierrez de Piñeres (United Way Colombia), Chian Gong (Reach Capital), Dana McCoy (Harvard University), Lela Chakhaia (UNICEF), Annie Spitzer (Urban 95), Jessica Jansen (GGD Amsterdam), Ana Maria Bastos (Descobrir Brincando), Ana Amélia Prevatto (Descobrir Brincando), Kruti Dalal (ARMMAN), Janani Balakrishnan (ARMMAN), Lauren Kotze (Reach Health Digital), Ashok Kumar (Aga Khan Foundation), Sanjay Kumar (Aga Khan Foundation), Harshit Sharma (Digital Jalebi), Dima Eimesayel (Queen Rania Foundation), Ruba Samain (Queen Rania Foundation), Jamie Lachman (Parenting for Lifelong Health), Laurie Markle (Parenting for Lifelong Health), Erum Mariam (BRAC IED), Mohammad Safayet Khan (BRAC IED), Richard Fletcher (University of Newcastle), Atif Rahman (University of Liverpool), Najia Atif (Human Development Research Foundation), Clay Nielsen (Minderoo Foundation) and Susan Schofield (Minderoo Foundation) . Any errors are the responsibility of the authors. Executive summary Digital tools have become increasingly prevalent in supporting early childhood development (ECD) globally. Accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the closure of childcare facilities and other ECD-focused programs, parents and caregivers have sought alternative ways to support young children's learning and development. The availability and quality of new digital technologies have provided an opportunity to bridge this gap, with the potential to reach a wider audience and improve access and quality of support to young children. This report offers insight into the current technology-enabled tools designed to support the parents, caregivers, and the early childhood workforce of children ages 0 to 5 worldwide. The report focuses on their features, objectives, and current practices, as well as key success factors, and design, implementation, and dissemination challenges. Drawing from a desk review of peer-reviewed and gray literature and key informant interviews with tool developers and experts, the report also includes four thematic case studies on partnership, adaptation, user engagement, and monitoring and evaluation, and an interactive database showcasing 23 unique digital tools. A number of key findings emerge from this review, including: (1) the necessity of designing for and with end-users; (2) the power of leveraging innovative approaches to keep users engaged; (3) the importance of meeting users where

FAQs

What does the report focus on regarding digital tools for early childhood development?

It examines technology-enabled tools designed for parents, caregivers, and the early childhood workforce for children ages 0 to 5, including their features, objectives, practices, and key success factors.

How was the report developed?

The report draws on a desk review of peer-reviewed and gray literature and includes key informant interviews with tool developers and experts, supported by thematic case studies and an interactive database.

What kinds of recommendations does the report provide?

Recommendations target stakeholders to optimize design, use, and impact, including building sustainable approaches, forming complementary partnerships, adapting tools culturally and linguistically, and strengthening learning through longer-term and flexible funding.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by James