Preschool programs look a lot different than they used to. There are still crayons, puzzles, and pretend kitchens, but now there might also be tablets and touchscreens in the same room.
That raises a fair question: Can digital tools and hands-on play work together in early education?
The short answer is yes, but only if they’re used intentionally. In this blog, let’s talk about what that looks like and why it matters for your child’s development.
Why Hands-On Play Still Matters
Children learn best by doing. Give a child a puzzle, a stack of blocks, or a tub of water and they’ll do more than just play; they’ll explore, build skills, and make connections.
Here’s what hands-on play helps kids do:
- Strengthen their fine motor skills (think using scissors, stacking blocks, or lacing beads)
- Practice creativity through pretend play and art
- Develop social skills by playing with others
- Learn patience and problem-solving through trial and error
Things like painting, sensory bins, pretend grocery stores, and matching games may look simple, but they’re powerful learning tools.
Hands-on play also gives kids a break from screens and encourages movement, creativity, and real-time thinking.
So, Where Does Technology Fit?
Digital tools have a role in preschool programs, but they’re not meant to replace traditional learning. When used the right way, tech can support what your child is already learning.
For example, a child might use an interactive app to practice letter sounds or counting. Or they might watch a short story being read aloud and then act it out with puppets.
Here’s what tech can help with:
- Building early digital skills (like tapping, dragging, or following prompts)
- Reinforcing letters, numbers, or sounds in a fun, engaging way
- Supporting kids who learn better through visuals or audio
- Offering new ways to tell stories, explore ideas, or practice skills
It’s not about choosing screens instead of play; it’s about using screens to support learning when it makes sense.
What a Balanced Preschool Program Looks Like
You don’t need to choose between crayons and iPads. A good preschool program offers both and uses them in ways that make sense for kids.
Here’s what that balance might include:
- Short, focused tech time, which means no more than 20 minutes per session
- Educators guiding the digital activities and staying involved
- Plenty of time for creative, open-ended play
- Activities that connect what kids see on-screen with what they do in real life
Let’s say your child uses an app to trace shapes. A great teacher might then give them real shapes to trace with a pencil or create with play dough.
That’s where learning sticks, when tech and touch work together.
What to Look for as a Parent
If you’re checking out preschool programs, ask how they handle technology and play. The answers should give you a clear picture of their priorities.
Here are a few things worth asking:
- How much screen time do kids get during the day?
- What kinds of apps or tools are being used?
- Are the activities supervised and guided by teachers?
- Is tech used to support hands-on learning, not replace it?
You don’t need a tech-free classroom. But you do want one that’s thoughtful about how technology is used.
Why Balance Benefits Kids
When used right, both hands-on play and digital tools offer different kinds of learning. Play helps kids:
- Move their bodies.
- Use their senses.
- Interact with others.
- Solve problems creatively.
Tech can help kids:
- Stay engaged through visuals and sound.
- Practice new skills in bite-sized ways.
- Explore topics in ways they might not see in the real world (like space or underwater environments).
A strong preschool program doesn’t favor one over the other. It makes space for both.
How Montessori Programs Handle the Balance
At Quality Interactive Anthem Montessori, the focus stays on real-world exploration.
Children spend most of their day engaging in self-directed, hands-on activities. Technology might be introduced, but it’s used in small doses and with purpose.
This approach encourages independence and decision-making, giving children the space to explore and choose activities on their own. It also supports problem-solving with real materials, allowing kids to work through challenges using hands-on tools and natural consequences.
The result is a calm, focused environment that avoids overstimulation and helps children stay engaged.
What You Can Do at Home
Want to support this kind of balance in your own home? Try this:
- Set time limits on tech and stick to them.
- Watch and interact with your child during digital activities.
- Follow up screen time with hands-on time.
- Choose high-quality, ad-free educational apps.
Keep asking yourself: Is this tool helping my child think, move, or create? If not, it might not be worth the screen time.
Wrapping Up
Preschool programs don’t need to be all-tech or no-tech. The best learning happens when digital tools and hands-on play work side by side.
Your role (whether you’re a parent or educator) is to make sure tech stays meaningful, limited, and connected to the real world.
Because kids don’t need more screen time. They need the right kind of screen time and plenty of time off-screen, too.
Curious how this works in practice?
Reach out to Quality Interactive Anthem Montessori to learn how their preschool programs bring tech and play together in ways that support the whole child.
