The landscape of preschool learning has significantly changed with the onset of the digital age. What used to be a time when kids used mini chalkboards to learn ‘ABC’ has now transitioned to digital screens with hyper-interactive learning experiences. Today’s preschool learning has revolutionised the way children consume educational content. From educational games to personalised lessons and virtual adventures, preschoolers are exposed to content that is specifically curated according to their learning patterns and speeds.
However, with increased convenience comes a risk of negative side effects of excessive screen time. Preschool learning in the digital age has its own set of pros and cons. Let’s have a look at them:
Pros of Preschool Learning in the Digital Age:
- Interactive Learning Experience: Technology has made early childhood learning a hyper-interactive experience. With interactive kindergarten learning games, educational apps, and many multimedia resources, today’s preschool learning has made education engaging and personalised.
- Promotes Creativity and Imagination: Technology in education has made even phonics for kids a highly attractive experience. By integrating cartoon characters and storylines into learning material, preschool learning in the digital age promotes the development of creativity and imagination in young learners.
- Ease of Access: Any educational app can be accessed from anywhere and at any time. Preschool learning for kids is extremely easy nowadays. You need not take your children to school every day. Instead, get your child enrolled on an online educational platform and get customised lesson plans according to their learning and pace. You can simply search ‘abc learning app’ on Google, and you will get a lot of options to select from.
- Early Development of Tech Skills: Using digital technologies in school enables young learners to develop their technical skills at an early age. This helps them prepare for future technological demands by fostering digital literacy.
Cons of Preschool Learning in the Digital Age:
- Excessive Screen Time: The use of digital technologies for preschool learning may lead to excessive screen time, which can result in negative after-effects. It can lead to the rise of sedentary behaviour among children and also significantly impact their physical and mental health.
- Poor Social Skills: Over-dependence on apps and digital platforms for education can limit a child’s social and face-to-face interactions. A bot or a digital system cannot fully replace the human warmth and interaction that is necessary for the growth of a child’s social skills.
- Hindrance to Creativity: Too much use of digital tools for preschool learning can limit and hinder a child’s ability to think creatively and imaginatively.
- Disturbed Sleep Quality: The blue light emitted from any device’s screens while children are engaged in preschool learning sessions negatively impacts their sleep quality. This blue light is risky and unhealthy for their overall well-being and learning capabilities.
There is no doubt that the use of digital technology in preschool learning has numerous benefits. However, it also raises numerous concerns related to screen time, sleep quality and the development of social skills in a child. Excessive use of technology can prove to be dangerous, not just in early childhood learning but in any sphere of life. Hence, it is of utmost importance that parents or educators draw a very fine but strong line that strikes a balance between online preschool learning, as well as real-life and face-to-face interaction for every young learner.