The government wants to abolish the requirement for screen time in preschools to promote children’s development in a more analog environment. The proposal follows criticism that screen use may risk hampering children’s language development.
The government plans to remove the requirement for digital tools in preschools, according to a proposal put forward by Minister of Employment and Integration Johan Pehrson (L) and Minister of Education Lotta Edholm (L). The decision follows criticism that screen use can hamper children’s language and learning development.
– We have seen how screens and tablets have increased in the school system in recent years and there is no scientific evidence that this is good, says Pehrson.
Lotta Edholm stresses that too much screen time can be harmful and that children learn best in analog environments.
– There is a lot of science behind the fact that children learn best in analog environments. It also reduces the risk of being sedentary, she said during a press conference.
The requirement for digital learning was introduced by the National Agency for Education in the preschool curriculum from 2018.
The Swedish National Agency for Education has now been commissioned by the government to revise the curriculum with the proposal to make preschool mainly screen-free, with selective use of digital tools where there is scientific support and educational added value.
The proposal is to be presented by June 4, 2024.
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