How you can ease into digital storytelling with less stress in preschool today

By Michael Hilkemeijer

What Is Digital Storytelling in Education?

Why Are So Many Teachers Asking: What Is Digital Storytelling in Education?

Digital storytelling in education is gaining attention for good reason. It’s more than just a trend—it’s a powerful, research-backed way to connect children’s voices with technology in a purposeful and developmentally appropriate way.

 

So, what is digital storytelling in education?

 

At its core, digital storytelling combines traditional storytelling methods with modern multimedia tools. It allows learners to share stories using images, sound, video, animation, and their own voices. According to Bernard Robin, it is “the combination of the art of telling stories with a variety of digital multimedia”—and can be used to inform, instruct, or reflect (Robin, 2011).

 

Digital storytelling gives children a chance to create, connect, and communicate in ways that match their digital world. And for educators, especially in early childhood, it offers an opportunity to meaningfully embed technology into learning.

 

 

Why Is Digital Storytelling in the Classroom So Effective?

The question “how can digital storytelling work in the classroom?” often begins with doubt—especially in early childhood settings. But evidence shows that digital storytelling improves engagement, language development, creativity, and reflection, even in preschool classrooms.

 

Here’s how:

• Enhances communication and expression: Children use their own voice, images, or animations to share thoughts and feelings, supporting both verbal and non-verbal learners.

• Builds early digital literacy: Through tools like digital drawing apps, photos, or programmable toys, children begin to understand how to use digital tools to express ideas.

• Supports social learning: Collaboration during storytelling fosters teamwork, turn-taking, and co-construction of meaning.

• Promotes deeper thinking: The process of planning, sequencing, narrating, and revising stories builds critical and creative thinking skills.

 

Robin (2006) also identified how students engaged in digital storytelling build multiple forms of literacy—including digital, global, visual, and technological literacy—all essential to 21st-century learning.

 

 

 

What Makes Digital Storytelling Unique in Early Childhood Education?

Digital storytelling is especially powerful in preschool because it centers on experience and expression. It’s not about perfect grammar or polished performances—it’s about capturing meaning from a child’s point of view.

 

In early learning, this means:

• Using child-led photos or drawings to tell a story

• Recording voice narration over a picture sequence

• Using simple apps or programmable toys (like Bee Bots) to narrate movement through space

• Telling a group story with digital puppets or AR-based visuals

Researchers Catalano and Catalano (2022) highlight that digital storytelling in ECE promotes child-centredness and engagement through “constructivist digital learning environments where imagination, creativity, and collaboration thrive.

 

 

 

Why Is This the Best Time to Start?

While many educators are still asking “what is digital storytelling in the classroom?”, others have already begun embedding it into literacy, play, science, and social learning. What’s holding most teachers back isn’t the idea—it’s the how.

 

The solution? Done-for-you professional support and lesson planning tools—like those available in the ICT in Education Teacher Academy.

Our membership is designed specifically to help early childhood educators:

• Learn the theory and purpose behind digital storytelling in the ECE workshop

• Access lesson plans that are ready to use with little preparation

• Align digital storytelling experiences with EYLF outcomes

• Reflect on and track student learning using our workbook templates

 

It’s not about using flashy tools. It’s about transforming teaching through technology with confidence.

 

 

 

Where to from Here?

This is the first of a blog series answering your most important questions about digital storytelling.

In the next post, we’ll focus on why digital storytelling in early childhood education is more powerful than you think—and explore the benefits of storytelling for preschoolers’ development, classroom engagement, and curriculum alignment.

 

 

Want to stop Googling “how to start digital storytelling” and start implementing it?
Join the ICT in Education Teacher Academy and access the step-by-step tools, lesson plans, and professional learning that make it simple.

 

 

 

 

 

Why Storytelling with Technology Builds Skills That Last a Lifetime

 

Why Is Digital Storytelling So Powerful in Early Childhood?

You already know that storytelling in early childhood is a cornerstone of learning. But when we add digital tools to the mix, the learning expands in powerful, measurable ways. That’s why digital storytelling in early childhood education is quickly becoming one of the most effective strategies for engaging preschoolers—and developing the skills they need for the future.

 

In preschool classrooms, stories support communication, imagination, identity, and social learning. When children use images, audio, animation, or apps to tell those stories, they don’t just consume content—they create it. That’s what makes digital storytelling a key driver of both digital literacy and early childhood development.

 

 

 

The Benefits of Storytelling in Early Childhood—Now Enhanced Digitally

Whether it’s spoken aloud, acted out, or illustrated with drawings, storytelling remains a powerful teaching tool. But what are the actual benefits of storytelling in early childhood?

• Language and communication: Children strengthen vocabulary, narrative structure, and oral language skills.

• Social-emotional learning: Through characters and plots, children process feelings and develop empathy.

• Cognitive development: Storytelling supports sequencing, memory, cause-and-effect, and comprehension.

• Cultural identity: Stories help children express who they are and learn about others.

 

Now add a layer of digital media, and the benefits multiply.

 

According to Catalano and Catalano (2022), digital storytelling enables children to engage more deeply by personalizing stories, expressing emotions, and collaborating meaningfully with others. It offers “a constructivist digital learning environment where imagination, creativity, and collaboration thrive”Using Digital storytell….

 

 

 

 

Benefits of Storytelling in the Classroom, According to Research

Educators using digital storytelling in the classroom consistently report improvements in:

• Engagement and attention span

• Confidence and willingness to share ideas

• Digital tool usage and navigation skills

• Visual literacy and creativity

 

One study found that preschoolers involved in digital storytelling activities became more focused and reflective. They improved their memory, communication, and problem-solving abilities while participating in meaningful, joyful learning experiences.

 

Another study by Robin (2011) confirmed that digital storytelling increases student motivation, encourages collaboration, and supports various learning styles through multimedia formats.

 

These are not just short-term gains. They form the basis for future success in digital literacy, creative expression, and academic growth.

 

 

Why This Matters for Preschool Educators

If you’re wondering how to make the most of storytelling time in your preschool class, the shift toward digital storytelling for preschoolers can feel intimidating—until you see how simple and joyful it can be.

 

Digital storytelling isn’t about replacing traditional stories. It’s about enhancing them. For example:

• A child can draw a picture and narrate a story over it using a voice recording app.

• Children can take photos of nature and create a digital nature story.

• A Bee Bot can become a character in a movement-based story.

• Groups can build comic strips using images and digital speech bubbles.

 

These activities bring learning to life while allowing children to control how they express themselves.

 

And when you implement digital storytelling through the ICT in Education Teacher Academy, you’ll get lesson plans that show you exactly how to do this—with minimal prep time and maximum clarity.

 

 

 

 

How the Membership Supports Your Storytelling Goals

Inside the membership, you’ll find a dedicated ECE workshop focused on digital storytelling. It covers:

• The educational theories underpinning digital storytelling in the early years

• How to select age-appropriate tools for storytelling

• Examples of successful storytelling in preschool classrooms

• Lesson plans aligned with EYLF outcomes and supported by workbook templates

 

Each activity comes with:

• A clear purpose

• A digital tool suggestion

• Differentiation strategies

• Observation and assessment ideas

 

Whether you’re introducing storytelling apps, voice recorders, digital cameras, or even programmable toys like Bee Bots, you’ll feel confident that you're using these tools meaningfully—and your children will love every moment.

 

 

Ready for the Next Step?

In the next blog, we’ll introduce the ECE Digital Storytelling Workshop itself. You’ll learn what makes it unique, how it helps educators like you, and why members say it’s one of the most useful workshops in the membership.

 

 

Want to start exploring the benefits of storytelling for preschoolers right now?
With structured guidance, digital lesson plans, and collaborative support, you can bring digital storytelling into your classroom with confidence.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Why Building Digital Storytelling Confidence Starts with Professional Learning That Works

Are You Unsure How to Teach Storytelling with Digital Tools in Preschool?

If you’ve been wondering how to teach storytelling for kindergarten, or you’ve tried a few digital apps but aren’t sure if you’re “doing it right,” you’re not alone.

 

Many educators feel inspired by the idea of digital storytelling—but unsure where to begin. Questions like these are common:

• What tools are developmentally appropriate for preschoolers?

• What are the objectives of storytelling for preschoolers, especially with technology?

• How do I teach digital storytelling in a way that supports EYLF outcomes?

 

That’s exactly why the Digital Storytelling in Early Childhood Education workshop was created inside the ICT in Education Teacher Academy—to move you from unsure to confident, with research-backed strategies and ready-to-use lesson plans.

 

 

 

 

Learn the Why Before the How: Key Theories That Underpin the Workshop

This workshop is more than a collection of ideas—it’s a professional learning experience grounded in the theories that support early childhood development and digital pedagogy.

 

You’ll learn how digital storytelling aligns with:

• Constructivist learning theory: Children build knowledge actively, not passively. Digital storytelling allows them to create, explore, and narrate their understanding in multimodal waysUsing Digital storytell….

• Multiliteracies and multimodal literacy: As children engage with visuals, text, sound, and movement, they expand beyond traditional literacy and become fluent in multiple forms of meaning-makingThe_educational_uses_of….

• Socio-cultural learning theory: Storytelling allows children to share personal experiences, family stories, and cultural identity, especially when supported with digital tools that let them represent their world in rich, diverse waysUsing Digital storytell….

• Brain-based learning: Neuroscience confirms that stories activate cognitive, emotional, and social regions of the brain. Children remember stories not because they are told—but because they feel them (O’Byrne et al., 2018; Hsu et al., 2015)Using Digital storytell….

 

The workshop helps you take these big ideas and turn them into practical teaching strategies that work in preschool classrooms.

 

 

Learn the How with Strategies That Actually Work in Preschool

The Digital Storytelling in Early Childhood Education workshop equips you with strategies for:

• Choosing developmentally appropriate storytelling tools (e.g., Bee Bots, digital cameras, AR apps, voice recorders)

• Structuring storytelling activities that follow a clear pedagogical sequence

• Creating lessons that build digital literacy and expressive language

• Facilitating storytelling in child-led, play-based environments

• Incorporating differentiation and inclusion using visual and auditory supports

• Designing activities around the Seven Elements of Digital Storytelling: point of view, emotional content, pacing, voice, soundtrack, economy, and dramatic question (Robin, 2011)The_educational_uses_of…

 

You’ll also explore storytelling techniques for preschool practitioners such as:

• “Photo Talk Stories” – where children narrate photos taken during play

• “Soundscape Adventures” – where environmental sounds help build story context

• “Draw-and-Tell” digital books – where artwork becomes the foundation of a narrated digital story

 

Each strategy is backed by both theory and classroom-tested success.

 

 

 

Get Lesson Plans That Are More Than Just Activities

A quick Google search might give you a digital storytelling app to try. But that’s not a lesson plan, and it won’t help you build your skills or track children’s growth.

 

That’s why our members download lesson plans directly from the workshop. Each one includes:

• A clear activity description that outlines goals and key skills

• Alignment to EYLF learning outcomes

• ICT levels of differentiation to support diverse learners

• Ideas for adapting the activity to your context

• A Higher Order Thinking Skills table linking digital tools with KLAs

• Critical reflection prompts for both teacher and child

• A connection to the Success Path in your membership workbook (Adoption → Adaptation → Infusion → Transformation)

 

In short: these are not generic PDFs. They are pedagogically aligned teaching tools that help you grow your digital storytelling confidence while enriching children’s learning experiences.

 

 

 

 

A Sneak Peek at What’s Inside the Workshop

When you access the workshop as a member, you also unlock:

• Step-by-step video tutorials explaining how to implement digital storytelling tools

• A playlist of classroom examples showing activities in action

• Planning templates to map out learning goals and document outcomes

• The Wisdom Tool—a search-and-apply resource that lets you pull up answers and member stories instantly

• A community forum where members share real-life adaptations and reflection strategies

 

This means you’re not just downloading a plan. You’re building technological pedagogical content knowledge (TPACK)—and documenting it with evidence for your own professional growth.

 

 

The Result? Confidence, Creativity, and Progress

By the end of the workshop, members report feeling:

• Confident in choosing and adapting digital tools

• Clear on how to guide children’s storytelling in meaningful ways

• Inspired to create richer storytelling experiences

• Supported by a professional network that “gets it”

As one member shared in the forum:
"I thought digital storytelling was too advanced for my group, but using the workshop plan on 'Speech Bubbles and Digital Puppets' showed me how simple it can be. Now the kids are directing their own stories, and I’m actually using the reflection prompts to track it all in my workbook!"

 

Want to Teach Storytelling with Clarity Instead of Confusion?

If you’ve ever searched “how to use digital storytelling in the classroom” or “different ways of storytelling for preschoolers,” the Digital Storytelling in Early Childhood Education workshop is your answer.

It’s not a one-time tutorial. It’s a complete toolkit for planning, teaching, reflecting, and growing as an early childhood educator using digital tools with purpose.

 

👉 Click here to access the workshop through the ICT in Education Teacher Academy

Start by downloading your first lesson plan—then follow the workbook path to see how your practice evolves.

 

 

 

 

 

 

See the Difference: How These Digital Storytelling Activities for Preschoolers Build Real Skills

Transform Your Favourite Tools into Powerful Learning Experiences with the Right Lesson Plan

 

Have You Tried Digital Storytelling but Wondered: “Am I Doing It Right?”

If you’ve ever opened a digital storytelling app like ChatterPix, Puppet Pals, or Book Creator and thought, “This is fun, but how do I turn this into a real learning experience?”, you're not alone.

 

Preschool teachers everywhere are exploring tools, trying ideas—and hitting a wall. What’s missing isn’t the tool—it’s the teaching framework that turns a digital activity into a deep learning opportunity.

 

That’s why the ICT in Education Teacher Academy membership goes beyond suggesting apps. It gives you:

• Done-for-you lesson plans with clear pedagogical goals

• Strategies for using the same tool in different ways to grow your own skills

• A workbook that helps you track your transformation as a teacher

 

This blog shows you exactly how those lesson plans help you move from doing to growing with digital storytelling.

 

 

 

Why a Good Activity Isn’t Enough Without a Plan

There are plenty of digital storytelling examples for kindergarten online—but few are designed with professional development in mind.

The lesson plans inside the membership do two things differently:

1. They help you support children’s learning across multiple KLAs and EYLF outcomes.

2. They help you, the educator, grow your ICT capability through structured reflection and the Success Path (Adoption → Adaptation → Infusion → Transformation).

 

Membership Lesson Plans That Take You Beyond the Basics

Here’s a snapshot of what makes these storytelling activities for preschoolers so powerful. Each plan is downloadable from the Digital Storytelling in Early Childhood Education workshop inside the membership.

ACTIVITY TITLE	DIGITAL TOOL OR FORMAT	KEY LEARNING FOCUS	WHY IT STANDS OUT IN THE MEMBERSHIP
Speech Bubbles & Digital Storytelling	Photo tools + text editors (e.g., Pic Collage, Book Creator)	Language and emotional literacy	Supports children who are non-verbal or emerging speakers to tell stories using images and typed dialogue
Puppet Conversation Storyboards	Digital puppets (e.g., Puppet Pals)	Dialogue and social problem-solving	Focuses on conflict resolution and expressive language using puppets children create themselves
Draw and Tell	Drawing app with voiceover	Sequencing and narrative development	Enables creative storytelling for children who are still developing writing skills
Augmented Reality Animal Habitats	AR storytelling apps (e.g., Quiver)	Science and environmental knowledge	Combines digital storytelling with thematic learning; children place animals into scenes and narrate what happens
Bee Bot Story Journeys	Bee Bot + storytelling mat	Spatial language and collaborative storytelling	Children program Bee Bots to move through a story path and tell the tale at each point
Digital Nature Story Walks	Tablet photos + narration	Outdoor exploration + oral storytelling	Encourages connection with nature and reflection through image selection and voice recording

 

 

 

Each plan also includes:

• ICT levels of differentiation

• Observation templates with HOTS (Higher Order Thinking Skills) tables

• Member reflection prompts and peer adaptation ideas

• Links to the Success Path so you can move forward in your professional learning

 

 

 

Real Example: How a Familiar Tool Becomes a Professional Growth Moment

You might already be using an app like Book Creator. But are you using it to:

• Build children's narrative sequencing?

• Track verbal language development?

• Provide options for non-verbal learners?

• Reflect on your own technological pedagogical growth?

In the membership, you don’t just “use the tool.” You document how it helped your children progress—and how it helped you move from adoption to transformation.

 

 

 

You’re Not Alone: Learn From Member Ideas, Not Just Documents

As a member, you gain access to our community forum and the Wisdom Tool, where educators share:

• Their own versions of each lesson plan

• Visuals of what the activity looked like in their setting

• Adaptations for mixed age groups or children with additional needs

• Feedback on how the plan supported EYLF or APST outcomes

These resources are not available outside the membership—and they make every activity feel richer, more connected, and more aligned to your real-world teaching.

 

 

 

 

What Happens When You Use Lesson Plans That Grow With You?

You stop second-guessing yourself. You start seeing children engage, communicate, and create in new ways. And you move forward in your own digital capability with confidence.

That’s what one member, Rachel, discovered:

“I’d used Puppet Pals before but never thought of it as a planning tool. After downloading the ‘Puppet Conversation Storyboards’ plan and using the observation prompts in the workbook, I finally saw how this tied into both storytelling AND assessment. The Success Path made me realise I’d moved from ‘Adoption’ to ‘Adaptation’ without even knowing it.”

 

Turn Tools Into Transformation—One Plan at a Time

If you’re already using storytelling apps or programmable toys, you’re halfway there. The ICT in Education Teacher Academy gives you the structure, support, and insight to use them better—and to grow your own digital storytelling practice at the same time.

👉 Click here to access the lesson plans and track your transformation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One Activity, One Member, One Transformation: A Digital Storytelling Success Path in Action

How One Preschool Teacher Used a Storytelling App to Grow Professionally and Empower Her Learners

 

 

Can One Lesson Plan Really Lead to Professional Growth?

Meet Eleni. A preschool teacher with years of experience but very little confidence using digital tools. She’d downloaded storytelling apps before—like Puppet Pals and ChatterPix—but each time, she asked herself:

• Is this enough?

• Am I using this well?

• Is this actually helping the children—or me—as an educator?

When Eleni joined the ICT in Education Teacher Academy, she didn’t just find another activity to try. She found a pathway to transform how she thought about storytelling, technology, and her own teaching practice.

This is her story—and how one activity turned into a moment of transformation.

 

 

 

The Activity: Puppet Conversation Storyboards

Eleni started by downloading the Puppet Conversation Storyboards lesson plan from the Digital Storytelling in Early Childhood Education workshop.

Activity Description:
Children create digital puppets using the Puppet Pals app. In pairs, they act out social situations (e.g., solving a disagreement, sharing a toy), record conversations, and replay them for peer feedback. This supports language development, perspective-taking, and collaborative storytelling.

Why Eleni Chose It:

• It supported her goal to foster social-emotional learning.

• It offered an opportunity to differentiate for non-verbal learners using expressive voice and visuals.

• The plan came with scaffolding prompts, planning templates, and observation checklists—things she usually struggled to prepare herself.

 

 

 

The Turning Point: Small Changes That Led to Big Growth

What made this activity different for Eleni wasn’t just the app. It was the structured process she followed inside the membership—a simple framework that helps educators track their confidence, reflect on what’s working, and gradually improve their use of technology in early childhood education.

 

With the help of the membership workbook, Eleni didn’t just do the activity—she moved through four phases of professional growth, which she documented along the way.

 

What Eleni did	Why it helped
✅ Tried the lesson plan exactly as described	Gave her a quick win—she didn’t have to create anything from scratch
✅ Made a small change to connect it to children’s current social experiences	Children were more engaged because the stories were about them
✅ Recorded the puppet conversations and added them to portfolios	Families loved seeing their child’s voice and ideas captured digitally
✅ Reflected in the workbook and shared her experience in the member forum	She received encouragement and new ideas, and realised she could help others too

 

 

These weren’t big changes—they were small, meaningful steps. But when she looked back at what she’d done, Eleni realised she had completely shifted how she approached storytelling, technology, and teaching.

The workbook helped her reflect on:

• How her confidence with digital tools had grown

• How her teaching decisions were becoming more intentional

• How the children’s learning had deepened through their storytelling

 

 

From Downloading an Activity… to Becoming a Digital Storytelling Leader

“I used to think digital storytelling was just a fun way to fill time. But using the workbook helped me see how much learning was happening—both for the kids and for me. I wasn’t just using an app anymore—I was becoming a better teacher.”

This is the kind of transformation that happens when you combine done-for-you lesson plans with intentional reflection tools. You stop guessing. You start growing—with every single activity.

 

 

 

 

A Reflection That Changed Her Practice

“I used to think digital storytelling was just a fun way to fill time. But following the activity with the workbook showed me how much learning I was missing. Now, I can confidently say I’m not just using an app—I’m building literacy, empathy, and even my own TPACK skills.”

 

Eleni’s story echoes what research confirms: Digital storytelling activities become transformative when paired with reflection and planning tools. According to Robin (2008), learners and educators benefit most when storytelling is connected to “personal meaning-making and structured scaffolding”The_educational_uses_of…

 

 

 

What This Means for You

If you’ve ever used a digital tool and thought, “I hope this counts,” then Eleni’s story is for you.

As a member, you don’t just get lesson plans—you get:

• Structured reflection guidance in the workbook

• A clear progression model that tracks your growth (Success Path)

• Access to a community of peers adapting the same lesson plans

• Confidence that each tool you use builds toward transformation

 

 

 

 

Want to Create Your Own Transformation Story?

It only takes one activity. One plan. One reflection.

👉 Click here to download your first digital storytelling lesson plan and follow your Success Path

Start where you are—whether you’re new to storytelling or looking to refine your practice. Like Eleni, you’ll move forward with confidence, clarity, and support.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Digital Storytelling in Preschool with Ease

Digital storytelling is first, storytelling and second, digital with the point of technology being that it is not to tell the stories but for us as the educator to craft stories that engage people on many levels. This can involve images, video clips, music and narration. It can also be complex as a short film or as simple as a narrated slide show.

 

Today, new technology such as ‘talking books’, multimedia and talking word processors allow children far more independence from the teacher in literacy tasks and free you as the educator to focus teaching on the distinctive features of reading and the written process.

 

Digital technology in early childhood education such as digital cameras and multimedia composing tools has the potential to transform children’s storytelling and writing. It provides support for emergent literacy with features such as images, sound and text that all engage the children as learners.

 

Let us now examine other benefits of digital storytelling for students.

 

 

Benefits of digital storytelling

The use of digital storytelling in early childhood education brings with it many benefits for young children. Storytelling itself, makes us feel part of the community which is also important in the early learning setting. It teaches the story of life and shapes mental models. The benefits of digital storytelling include:

 

• Promotes competency in technology in early childhood education.
• Promotes collaboration and communication.
• Amplifies the storytelling through images.
• Supports students' learning by encouraging them to organize and express their ideas and knowledge in a distinctive and meaningful way.
• Allows you as the educator to gain an insight into children’s learning.
• It can inspire you to engage with the children in your care.
• Promotes and actively supports student involvement in their learning process.
• Transform storytelling activities into a dramatic and entertaining magic show.
• Inspire children to make their own digital stories.

 

Digital storytelling in early childhood education encourages children to become creators of content, rather than just consumers.

 

 

 

How to use digital storytelling in the classroom

When integrating digital stories into the curriculum there are several best practices that you should apply. The first thing that you need to do is to make coherent stories. This means activating knowledge and using materials to build new narrative sequences. By doing this, you will allow children to acquire new knowledge about the world and/or consolidate the knowledge that they already have. What is also does is enable them to acquire or consolidate both their digital and narrative skills through action. An opportunity such as this promotes active participation and autonomy for children as they gain different experiences with rich material support.

 

Throughout this process, it is important that you provide a constructivist learning environment that is rich in teaching-learning methods and materials, and that will allow your role as a facilitator to enable young children to actively participate. This should provide more autonomy to the child both in the storytelling process and in the use of digital technology. The autonomy of the child must be ensured not only in the process of digital story creation that includes narrating skills and grammar development, but with the process of integrating these skills with the technology as well.

 

It is important to avoid seeing the digital storytelling practices as just a digital product creation process as it could prevent the digital stories to emerge in meaningful contexts. The digital narratives should be included within the framework of the main goal and the construction of the learning process should also be able to meet the initial goal of child autonomy to develop throughout this process of product creation.

 

Well-planned learning environments is your key to enabling spaces that support children’s cooperation, communicating, sharing, and collaborating or working individually. The best educational practices of digital storytelling in early childhood education can be defined as below (Contini, et al., 2015):

 

What you can do?

• Encourage children’s discovery and invention skills in a constructivist manner as a facilitator. Also, to offer young children a non-judging context and supervise the children during the DST activities using guided questions, preparing the environment and the materials, and ensure that there is the consistent use of digital technologies.
• Support young children’s active participation in story’s construction process as designers of each story’s component. Also, plan to be responsive in your approach to each child’s interests, abilities and knowledge.
• Promote young children’s resulting in a coherent story in terms of story grammar and use the three-phase development process of “Verbal-Visual-Technology” in the digital story development.
• Include versatile ways of using digital technology and making use of the affordances of digital tools in an effective way.
• Promote young children’s autonomy in the use of digital technologies in the digital storytelling making process by offering them technological tools and applications with “touch user interfaces” which are more convenient for preschool-age children and motor development.
• Become part of a professional learning community to result in both enhanced knowledge and skills on contemporary initiatives (new early childhood pedagogy in technology integration, use of technology in early childhood education), and provide improvement and development in children’s learning.

 

 

 

Lesson Plan Showcase: Real Classroom Activities to Support Digital Storytelling in Early Childhood Education

 

Are you searching for digital storytelling lesson plans that are developmentally appropriate and easy to implement in early years classrooms?

 

Whether you’re trying to integrate digital literacy activities for early years or simply wondering how to use digital storytelling in the classroom, the ICT in Education Teacher Academy has you covered. Below are six done-for-you lesson plans that members can download instantly—each one designed to help children create, reflect, and share stories using technology.

 

These examples are not just tools—they’re stepping stones to help you grow your confidence, align with the EYLF, and deepen children’s language, communication, and self-expression skills through technology.

 

 

1. My Story in Pictures – Using Shadow Puppet EDU

Children use their own photos or classroom images to create a short, voice-narrated story. They sequence the images and add audio descriptions that reflect their play, projects, or personal experiences. The intuitive interface of Shadow Puppet EDU allows even young learners to take ownership of their storytelling.

This activity supports multimodal communication and reflection. Educators guide children in choosing images and narrating them in order, creating a story that can be played back and shared with peers or families. It’s ideal for capturing events like nature walks, construction projects, or shared classroom moments.

 

 

2. My Voice – Creating a Digital Story with Adobe Express

This lesson invites children to plan and narrate their own digital slideshow using images and voice. Adobe Express (formerly Spark Video) allows them to combine photos, drawings, or icons into a simple but powerful storybook. Children gain experience using digital tools for purposeful communication and begin to express emotions and ideas using narration.

Educators can scaffold storytelling by providing templates or helping with planning. More confident learners may independently arrange their own slides and add music or titles. This lesson supports creative expression and builds foundational skills in sequencing, oral language, and digital storytelling.

 

 

3. Telling Our Day – Class Reflection with Microsoft Sway

Using photos from daily classroom routines, educators create a collaborative class photo story in Microsoft Sway. Children reflect on their experiences by helping to caption images or narrate short descriptions, turning routine events into meaningful shared stories.

This activity reinforces digital literacy activities for early years while promoting group communication and memory recall. Over time, children can begin to suggest which moments to capture, developing storytelling ownership and digital confidence.

 

 

4. Animated Storytelling with Toontastic

Toontastic gives children the power to animate their own stories. They choose characters, move them around the screen, and record voice narration to bring scenes to life. Each story follows a basic structure: beginning, middle, and end.

Whether working solo or in pairs, children explore character development, conflict, and resolution—all through play. This activity supports imagination, visual storytelling, and narrative structure. For educators, it provides a meaningful way to observe language development and creativity through digital expression.

 

 

5. Digital Storytelling – Women Who Inspire Us (Book Creator & ChatterPix)

In this lesson (perfect for International Women’s Day), children create digital stories about inspiring women using Book Creator, ChatterPix, or iMovie. They can draw, record voice-overs, or combine text and images to tell stories of women in their families, communities, or public life.

This lesson integrates digital storytelling in education with real-world connections, encouraging children to explore identity, empathy, and storytelling through multiple modalities. Extension ideas include collaborative class books or multi-language narration using text-to-speech tools.

 

 

6. Women’s Voices – Storytelling with Audio & Podcasting Tools

Here, children record simple voice notes or short podcasts using tools like Anchor or GarageBand. They might interview others, reflect on women’s contributions, or create an audio slideshow with ChatterPix.

This lesson emphasises verbal expression and inclusive storytelling. Children develop confidence and speaking skills while learning how to structure audio narratives. It’s also a great way to bring digital storytelling lesson plans into inquiry-based projects or celebrations like Women’s History Month.

 

 

How to Use Digital Storytelling in the Classroom—With Less Stress

Each lesson above is more than a standalone activity—it’s part of a structured journey within the ICT in Education Teacher Academy membership. Here's how the membership makes it easier to confidently use digital storytelling in the classroom:

• ✅ Start with done-for-you lesson plans aligned with EYLF outcomes

• ✅ Use the membership workbook to plan, track, and reflect on your progress

• ✅ Watch educator tutorials for apps like Shadow Puppet EDU, Adobe Express, Toontastic, and more

• ✅ Join community discussions and get tips from peers on scaffolding storytelling

• ✅ Build confidence gradually with support for adapting, extending, and progressing each activity

 

As Edutopia highlights, digital storytelling in early childhood “encourages collaboration, creativity, and reflection”—especially when children are supported to combine images, voice, and meaning in their own way (Edutopia, 2022).

 

So if you're still asking how to use digital storytelling in the classroom—this is your answer.

 

Start with one activity. Access everything through the membership. And turn storytelling into something more: a journey of expression, creativity, and growth.

 

 

 

 

Why Choosing the Right Activity Also Grows You as an Educator

Why Digital Literacy Activities for Early Years Matter—For Children and Educators

In today’s early learning settings, digital literacy is more than screen time. It’s about helping children communicate, create, and explore using developmentally appropriate technology.

 

But here’s what many educators miss: these same digital literacy activities for early years also support your professional growth—when they’re paired with reflection tools, lesson planning strategies, and curriculum links.

 

That’s what sets the ICT in Education Teacher Academy apart. Every digital literacy activity inside the membership is designed to:

• Build children’s digital capability

• Support EYLF outcomes

• Strengthen your confidence with ICT integration

• Track your professional learning through our workbook

 

 

What’s Included? A Look at the Digital Literacy Activity Range

Here’s a sample of the digital literacy activities available in the membership. These span across creative expression, communication, storytelling, collaboration, and foundational ICT skills:

Activity Type	Example	What Children Learn	What You Gain as a Member
Storytelling with Images & Voice	My Story in Pictures (Shadow Puppet EDU)	Sequencing, oral language, narrative structure	Reflection prompts + digital pedagogy strategy
Audio Expression	My Voice (Adobe Express)	Emotion expression, sentence building, confidence in speaking	Lesson plan linked to EYLF 4.2 and 5.2
Podcasting & Interviewing	Women’s Voices Podcast	Inquiry, social awareness, creative communication	Differentiation tips + example questions
Digital Drawing + Captioning	Speech Bubbles and Book Creator	Visual storytelling, text-sound connections	Community discussion on app extensions
Movement-Based Digital Stories	Bee Bot Story Journeys	Programming, spatial awareness, collaborative storytelling	Adaptation guide + HOTS observation table

 

All activities are accompanied by:

• A done-for-you lesson plan

• ICT levels of differentiation (basic to advanced use)

• A HOTs-based assessment table

• Prompts for reflection and planning in the membership workbook

 

 

Professional Learning That Grows With Every Activity

Every time you implement a digital literacy activity from the membership, you’re not just teaching—you’re learning too.

As a member, you’ll:

• Track your confidence with technology using the TPACK radar chart

• Reflect on your own growth using built-in Success Path milestones

• See how each digital activity supports APST standards and EYLF links

• Contribute to and learn from the community of educators adapting the same lessons

 

That’s what makes these digital literacy activities for early years more than ideas—they become part of your professional journey.

 

Want to explore the full library of activities and see how they can work in your context?
👉 Click here to learn more about the membership and start growing with purpose

 

 

 

 

Your Guide to Digital Storytelling for Elementary Students

Why Digital Storytelling for Elementary Is More Important Than Ever

In today’s classrooms, children are not just consuming digital content—they’re capable of creating it. That’s why digital storytelling for elementary learners has become such a powerful way to build 21st-century skills while aligning with literacy, history, science, and the arts.

 

If you’re a primary teacher looking for:

• Engaging digital storytelling examples for students

• Clear structure for classroom use

• Lesson plans tied to real outcomes and teacher growth

 

Then you’ll love what’s inside the ICT in Education Teacher Academy.

 

Our membership supports primary educators with ready-to-use lesson plans, guided reflection tools, and a growing library of digital storytelling activities for elementary students—all designed to build creativity, communication, and digital fluency.

 

 

What Does Digital Storytelling Look Like in the Elementary Classroom?

At its core, digital storytelling allows students to create and share narratives using multimedia—voice, text, images, music, or video. It’s especially effective for:

• Exploring personal identity and point of view

• Reflecting on historical or scientific content

• Planning persuasive or informative texts

• Building oral fluency, sequencing, and editing skills

According to Tech4Learning, digital storytelling in the primary classroom encourages students to “express ideas in creative ways and develop their voice as communicators” (Creative Educator).

 

 

 

Digital Storytelling Examples for Elementary Students in the Membership

Here’s a curated list of digital storytelling examples elementary teachers can find inside the membership, based on activities and instructional support drawn from Leanne’s Digital Storytelling Activities and your internal resource library:

Activity	Tool or Format	What Students Create	Curriculum Links
Autobiography Slideshows	Google Slides or PowerPoint	A narrated life story using images, titles, and transitions	English, Personal Development
Science Process Videos	Stop-motion or animation (e.g., Toontastic, iMovie)	Explaining a life cycle, experiment, or ecosystem	Science, Visual Literacy
Book Trailers	Adobe Express or Book Creator	Creative summary and opinion of a favourite book	English, Media Literacy
Historical Diaries	Timeline tools + voice recording	First-person historical narratives or explorer diaries	HASS, History
Digital Debates	Audio tools or video blogs	Persuasive arguments on classroom topics	English, Critical Thinking
Mystery Stories	Comic strip tools or storyboarding apps	Group-created mystery with beginning, problem, and solution	Creative Writing, Collaboration

 

Each activity is supported by:

• A ready-made lesson plan

• Differentiation strategies (from simple audio to full multimedia production)

• Observation and reflection tools for tracking both student and teacher growth

• Curriculum alignment with APST and general capabilities

 

 

How the Membership Helps You Use Digital Storytelling for Students With Confidence

If you're wondering how to use digital storytelling for students in a way that’s both engaging and structured, the ICT in Education Teacher Academy makes it easy:

• ✅ Downloadable digital storytelling lesson plans tailored to primary learning goals

• ✅ Access to tools that support beginner to advanced digital literacy

• ✅ Video walkthroughs and strategy guides

• ✅ A membership workbook that helps you reflect and demonstrate your use of ICT across the curriculum

• ✅ Access to the Wisdom Tool and community discussions where other primary teachers share how they adapted the same activity

 

These aren’t just isolated tech ideas. They’re part of a guided professional learning journey that helps you build confidence in teaching digital storytelling—and supports your students in becoming thoughtful digital communicators.

 

 

Start Building Digital Storytelling into Your Primary Classroom Today

Whether you're teaching persuasive writing, science, or history, digital storytelling can be the bridge between creativity and curriculum.

And with done-for-you support in the membership, you’ll spend less time figuring out how to teach it—and more time watching your students thrive.

👉 Click here to explore digital storytelling for elementary students in the membership

 

 

Here’s How You Can Ease Into Digital Storytelling with Less Stress in Preschool Today

If you’ve been wondering how to get started with digital storytelling in early childhood education, or how to do it with confidence and purpose, you're not alone. Many educators love the idea—but get stuck with questions like:

• What does it look like in a real classroom?

• How do I plan a meaningful experience, not just a fun one?

• Where do I find activities that actually support learning?

 

Through our full blog series, we’ve answered those questions and shown that digital storytelling becomes easier and more impactful when you stop going it alone—and start using done-for-you digital storytelling lesson plans that are already aligned to learning outcomes and supported by professional learning.

 

What You’ve Gained from the Series

In short, here’s what we’ve shown:

• What digital storytelling in early childhood education is, and how it supports multimodal learning

• The developmental benefits of storytelling for preschoolers—and how it builds communication, creativity, and confidence

• How our Digital Storytelling in ECE workshop helps you plan and reflect using the membership workbook

• A wide selection of digital storytelling lesson plans using tools like PuppetPals, Book Creator, Bee Bots, and more

• A real example of an educator growing through the structured support of the membership

• The extension of digital storytelling into primary classrooms, with creative projects for digital storytelling for elementary students

 

 

Why the Membership Is the Answer

The ICT in Education Teacher Academy gives you everything you need to get started today:

• ✅ Workshop training on how to implement digital storytelling

• ✅ EYLF-linked and curriculum-aligned digital storytelling lesson plans

• ✅ A workbook to help you reflect, grow, and track your ICT integration

• ✅ Examples, templates, and peer discussion to support your practice

It’s not just about finding activities—it’s about developing your confidence and capability through a structured, time-saving approach.

 

Want Less Stress and More Clarity?

If you’re ready to take digital storytelling from something you “try” to something you teach well, then the next step is simple.

🗓️ Best value: $200/year (get 2 months free with the annual plan)
💡 Monthly plan available at $20/month

Because when you have the right lesson plans, support, and tools—easing into digital storytelling becomes part of your professional growth, not a guessing game.