In today’s digitalized world children have access to technology from a very young age and learn how to use it quickly. 83% of children ages six months to six years use screens every day to play, learn, or read.

Love it or hate it, technology has become a vital part of our daily lives. Laptops, tablets, and smartphones have shaped preschool activities for the education sector, making it an essential part of a child’s development.

We discuss the benefits and negatives of technology for preschool children and reveal our top tips to help you get the balance right.

The benefits of technology for young children

When used appropriately, recent studies show that technology can improve children’s development in the early years. It can:

Improve language skills:

eBooks and online stories are a great way to teach children new words in a fun and engaging way through exploring new visual learning techniques. There is an excellent range of high-quality online resources that teach young children numbers, letters, and about the world around them.

Develop hand-eye coordination:

Following an object on a screen helps children develop their hand-eye coordination, which will help them learn to write and draw in school.

Enhances social interaction skills:

Technology can be easily shared, giving children alternative ways to interact with others. For example, solving puzzles together or playing a game.

Develop problem-solving skills:

Online games and apps encourage children to solve problems to find out what happens next.

Increase capacity for visual attention:

Educational apps and games teach young children to pay attention to details to complete certain actions.

Broaden the mind:

Technology gives children the opportunity to see things that they wouldn’t usually see, for example, animals in their natural habitats.

Develops decision-making skills:

Tablets allow children to make their own decisions and encourages them to do so, which is an important skill for preschoolers.

The negatives of too much technology for pre-schoolers

Exposing young children to too much technology can negatively impact them.

The biggest concern from healthcare professionals is that the more time children spend using smart devices, the less time they spend outside doing physical activities. Too much screen time, especially close to bedtime, can also reduce sleep quality and impact physical and mental health.

Apart from causing health issues, browsing the web, and playing online games can also be dangerous. Common threats that children face online include inappropriate content, cyberbullying, and online grooming. Parental controls and internet filtering tools help to keep young people safe while using the internet.

There is also a concern that overuse of mobile devices can affect their relationships with family and friends by not interacting with them as often as they should be.

Tips for using technology in preschool activities

Preschool activities play a crucial part in a child’s early years of development. Technology can improve a child’s learning experience in several ways. However,  it must be used correctly. Here are some ways to make the most of what technology can offer pre-schoolers:

• Use the technology with children
• Only use high-quality sources
• Make sure the content is age-appropriate before using it with your child
• Use the technology to help children learn the skills they will need for schools such as numeracy and literacy
• Limit the amount of time spent on screens
• Balance screen time with other physical activities outside
• Ask children questions about what they can see
• Mix technology with social interaction by using online resources in groups of children

What are your views on technology and young children? What benefits have you seen in your children from using modern technology? Let us know in the comments below.