Why Children Should Be Exposed to Technology Before School

In today’s digital world, technology is as much a part of learning as books and blocks. While young children shouldn’t spend hours glued to screens, early and thoughtful exposure to technology—around an hour a week—can give them valuable skills that prepare them for school and beyond.

Building Letter and Number Recognition

Many educational apps and games make learning letters and numbers interactive. Simple activities like tracing letters on a tablet or counting colorful shapes on a screen can spark curiosity and help children connect symbols with sounds and quantities. This playful engagement builds a strong foundation for early literacy and numeracy.

Developing Fine Motor Skills

Using a touchscreen or a computer mouse can enhance fine motor control. Swiping, tapping, and dragging require coordination and precision, strengthening the small muscles in a child’s hands and fingers—skills that later support handwriting and other manual tasks.

Strengthening Spatial Awareness

Technology often involves navigating virtual spaces, puzzles, or building games that develop spatial awareness. These experiences help children understand direction, distance, and positioning—important concepts for both math and everyday problem-solving.

Encouraging Digital Navigation

Learning how to read and move through a screen is a modern form of literacy. Recognising icons, menus, and interactive elements teaches children how to operate digital tools safely and independently—a skill that will benefit them in school and future learning environments.

Promoting Information Access and Curiosity

Technology opens a window to information. Early exposure teaches children how to find answers, explore new topics, and connect their learning to the world around them. When guided by adults, this promotes curiosity, critical thinking, and digital responsibility.

Keeping It Balanced

Early tech exposure doesn’t mean constant screen time. A healthy balance—around one hour a week—is enough to introduce digital tools while prioritising play, outdoor exploration, and face-to-face learning. The goal is not more screen time, but meaningful screen time.