In today’s fast-changing world, technology is everywhere—from the way we talk and learn to how we play and explore. Even young children are growing up surrounded by smartphones, tablets, voice assistants, and interactive screens. That’s why teaching digital literacy in early childhood is becoming just as important as learning to read, count, and share.
What Is Digital Literacy for Preschoolers?
Digital literacy means learning how to use technology in a smart, safe, and creative way. For preschoolers, it’s not about being glued to screens or learning to code—it’s about understanding how to use digital tools thoughtfully and playfully to explore, learn, and express themselves.
According to UNESCO (2023), digital literacy includes the ability to understand, communicate, and safely use information through digital devices. For young children, this means knowing how to:
- Use a tablet or computer for learning and creativity
- Recognise when something online doesn’t feel right
- Communicate kindly with others during digital play
- Explore ideas through digital stories, videos, and games
Why Is Digital Literacy Important in Preschool?
Research shows that when children are introduced to technology in age-appropriate and guided ways, they build important life skills like critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration (World Economic Forum, 2022).
With 65% of today’s young children expected to work in jobs that don’t yet exist, early exposure to digital tools—combined with emotional support and hands-on guidance—helps prepare them for the future.
Key Areas of Digital Learning for Preschoolers
Here are five areas where digital literacy can be nurtured in early learning settings:
1. Exploring Technology with Purpose
Preschoolers learn best through play. Digital play should be interactive, not passive. Educational apps, storytime videos, and creative tools like drawing apps can enhance learning when used with a teacher or parent.
Examples:
- Touch-and-learn alphabet games
- Interactive music or story apps
- Drawing and painting using a tablet
2. Digital Storytelling
Children can create and share their own stories using pictures, audio, or short videos. This builds language development, sequencing skills, and imagination.
Ideas:
- Record a story using their voice and drawings
- Use puppet apps to act out characters
- Take digital “photo walks” to tell a story about the day
3. Safe and Kind Online Behaviour
It’s never too early to start teaching online safety. Preschoolers can begin learning about basic rules like asking permission before using a device, not talking to strangers online, and telling an adult if something makes them uncomfortable.
Simple tips to teach:
- “We ask before we click.”
- “If we see something strange, we tell a grown-up.”
- “We are kind online, just like we are in real life.”
4. Creativity Through Technology
Technology can inspire young children to create, not just consume. Simple apps for music, art, or building help children explore ideas and express themselves in fun new ways.
Activities:
- Make digital art
- Record their own songs or rhymes
- Use a shape-builder app to make buildings or animals
5. Working and Learning Together
Digital tools can support collaboration, even in the early years. Children can learn to take turns using a tablet, make group stories, or watch videos and discuss them together.
Activities that build collaboration:
- Drawing together on a large interactive screen
- Sharing a video and talking about what happened
- Playing digital board games that require teamwork
Managing Screen Time Wisely
While digital tools have value, screen time should be balanced with physical play, outdoor exploration, and social interaction. The South African Paediatric Association (2023) recommends screen time be limited and always guided by an adult for children under 6.
Tips for balance:
- Choose quality, interactive content
- Watch or play together—co-viewing matters
- Set screen-free routines like bedtime or mealtime
Bridging the Digital Divide in Early Learning
Access to devices and internet remains unequal in many communities. According to Statistics South Africa (2023), only 37% of homes have access to a computer. Early childhood centres and preschools play a vital role in creating opportunities for children to interact with technology in positive and educational ways.
Digital literacy is no longer something to “add on” later—it starts in the earliest years, when minds are most curious and open. By guiding preschoolers through fun, safe, and age-appropriate digital experiences, we’re not just teaching them how to use a tablet—we’re helping them become confident, kind, and capable digital citizens of the future.