Published: 15 April 2026
While it’s true that too much screen time isn’t ideal, technology can be a really helpful tool for learning and development in young children. There are lots of ways it can support curiosity, exploration, creativity, and problem-solving.
Of course, not all technology used in the early years is the same, so it’s worth being thoughtful about which tools you choose and how they fit into your child’s day. But when used well, it can make learning fun and engaging, and benefit children in many ways.
A child’s early years are all about play, learning, self-expression, and developing skills like emotional regulation and social interaction.
Traditionally, these experiences came solely through hands-on activities and imagination. Blocks, puzzles, storybooks, and outdoor games were the main ways children explored their world and developed physically and mentally.
Today, digital tools are becoming a more common part of early childhood environments.
By digital tools, we mean not just tablets and smartphones, but also interactive whiteboards, educational apps, programmable toys, and even child-friendly robots.
These tools can offer new learning experiences that are interactive and visually stimulating. For instance, tablets might be used for drawing apps or interactive storybooks, while schools and may incorporate screens to show educational videos or guided learning activities.
Technology can be introduced to children gradually, often alongside traditional play and learning activities.
Early learning settings may integrate it in structured ways, such as short sessions with educational apps or as part of creative projects.
At home, digital tools are often used for entertainment and storytelling. A family member might swap in a tablet or app instead of a traditional toy when they want something a bit more interactive, like an animated story or a simple game that reacts to what the child does, while still sitting with them and being part of the experience.
While digital tools can offer new ways to learn and explore, it’s important to balance their use with hands-on, social, and active experiences, which remain key for healthy development.
When it’s used with intention, technology can support how children learn and help their development.
Technology can be a fun way to build language and thinking skills. Things like eBooks, simple learning apps, or recording tools give children a chance to recognise letters and pick up new words.
Babies and young children are always picking things up from what’s around them, and they learn language through everyday moments, from toys, books, conversations, and digital media, well before they say their first words.
Good-quality educational content, especially for children around two and a half to three and up, has been linked to stronger vocabulary and language growth, making it a useful addition when it’s used in a thoughtful way.
Research has found that when children are put in a more passive role, where they’re simply taking in information from text or listening to someone talk, they can struggle to use what they’ve learned in real situations.
When interactive technology is used instead of sitting back and watching, children can tap, respond, repeat, and explore, turning learning into something they actively take part in, which helps ideas stick more naturally.
Animated stories and narrated content can also make ideas easier to follow, which helps cognitive development as children can connect what they’re seeing and hearing in a more natural way than still images or text on their own.
Interactive apps, games, and STEM-focused toys are great ways to encourage young children to experiment and problem-solve from an early age, which helps build their critical thinking skills. When children troubleshoot, test ideas, and see the results of their actions, they gain confidence and become willing to explore new possibilities.
STEM learning in the early years can be made more engaging with technology. Interactive digital tools, like guided science or math games, can complement hands-on play and other STEM toys, giving children multiple ways to test ideas and learn through trial and error.
Technology can actually help children work on their physical skills in fun ways. Simple actions like tapping, swiping, or dragging items on a tablet, or playing with light tables and circuit blocks, help improve hand-eye coordination and precision.
Following and manipulating objects on a screen also strengthens coordination, reaction time, and multitasking skills. Because these activities are so interactive, children stay engaged while practising skills, making playtime both fun and skill-building.
We can see that young children can use technology in lots of different ways during play and learning, and families and educators in nurseries and other early years settings can benefit from it too.
Incorporating technology into your child’s life can be a helpful tool, but it’s important to approach it carefully.
Screen time in the early years isn’t inherently bad, and digital tools can support learning, creativity, and engagement.
At the same time, families need to stay mindful of how screen use can affect attention, social skills, and overall development.
Families should carefully manage screen time for children to support healthy development and maintain a good balance with hands-on play and real-world experiences.
The UK Government published new screen time guidance for under-5s in March 2026, developed with an expert panel led by Children’s Commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza. For children under two, the guidance avoiding screens other than for shared activities that encourage bonding, interaction, and conversation. For two- to five-year-olds, the guidance recommends aiming for no more than one hour of screen time a day, with screens kept away from mealtimes and the hour before bed.
Introducing technology with screens works best as a gradual process, focusing on a balance that fits your child and family.
A child’s first experiences with technology should be purposeful rather than purely entertaining.
When technology is introduced as a tool for learning or completing specific tasks, not just as a flashy or addictive toy, children are more likely to develop a balanced and healthy relationship with screens.
Find apps and activities that get children moving, exploring, and interacting with others alongside digital experiences. For example, a story app can be followed by drawing or role-play, or a counting game on a tablet can be paired with blocks or other tactile activities.
It’s worth keeping an eye out for clues that your child might be getting too much screen time. They might get grumpy or throw a tantrum when it’s time to turn off or lose interest in other activities.
Overuse in young children can also show up as less eye contact or difficulty joining in with hands-on activities.
Catching these signs early gives you the chance to tweak routines and help your child get the most out of technology without any of the negative consequences. For instance, you might decide to set shorter screen sessions, swap a digital activity for a hands-on one, or mix in more outdoor play and social interaction.
Here’s how to safely introduce digital tools and other technology to different age groups:
Families and caregivers should also choose age-appropriate and distraction-free content.
Look for interactive apps or shows that spark curiosity and creativity, and try offline options when possible to avoid notifications, ads, or in-app purchases that can interrupt your child’s learning.
Checking age ratings helps you make sure the apps and technology your child is using are safe. Labels like PEGI or app store ratings give you a quick guide on what’s appropriate, so you can feel confident the content won’t include anything unsuitable.
Always monitor young children whenever they’re using technology. Simple tech toys, like child-friendly tablets or educational gadgets, are fine for learning and play, as long as an adult is around to guide them.
Families and educators want the best for their children, and new ways to learn and explore are worth embracing, just with a careful approach.
As long as parents are aware of how their child is using technology and maintain a balance with hands-on, social, and active experiences, children can benefit from technology without missing out on traditional learning opportunities at nursery or at home.
With the right approach, technology can become another tool in a child’s growth, opening up new ways for them to build skills and engage with learning.
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