Technology with Young Preschoolers- A Useful Tool or a Curse?

Today I came across this article by Lorrie Jackson from Education World. http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech/tech215.shtml This article discusses the role technology plays in preschoolers' lives and how we as educators and parents should use technology with these young children.

The article states that, according to the National Education Technology Plan, 90% of children ages 5-7 use computers, 97% of kindergartners have computers at home and/or at school, and 72% of first graders use a home computer during the summer. These statistics are beginning to surprise me less and less as I learn more about technology use with young children. However, this article does address my main concern with using technology with young children- that children are being babysat by technology tools and are not experiencing the natural world.


Toddlers and preschoolers learn by doing -- playing in the mud, dressing up, playing house, and participating in other hands-on activities. The National Association for the Education of Young Children advises, therefore, that "computers supplement, and do not replace, highly valued early childhood activities and materials, such as art, blocks, sand, water, books, exploration with writing materials, and dramatic play."

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children under the age of 2 years old not be permitted to watch TV and children over the age of 2 years be limited to one to two hours of screen time a day. This recommendation is often translated to include computer usage as well. The first two years of your child’s life are especially important in the growth and development of her brain. During this time, children need positive interaction with other children and adults. This is especially true at younger ages, when learning to talk and play with others is so important.

All too often I have encountered children who could operate my cell phone better than I can or beat me in every computer game that we played, but look completely dumbfound when you try to get them to play outside or use materials such as blocks and cars to play instead of TV and video games. This generation of children is being raised immersed in technology which definitely has its perks. However, are the benefits worth it at the expense of children knowing the feeling of sand under their feet, paint all over their hands, or the joy of dressing up in Mom's old clothes and jewelry?