Watch: National pledges to end digital screen use in early childhood education

The National Party wants to end the use of digital screens in early childhood education and introduce new skill-level checks for young students before they enter primary school.

If elected, the party would also tightly restrict screen and individual-device use for Years 1 to 3 before introducing age-appropriate limits for older students.

National’s education spokeswoman Erica Stanford said younger children were spending increasingly longer on screens despite concerns over excessive use.

“For younger children, we want to place greater emphasis on books, handwriting, conversation, hands-on activities and direct interaction with teachers and other children.

“Technology still has a place in education, but it should enhance learning, not become the default way children learn.”

National’s policy includes:

• End screen and individual-device use in ECE, tightly limit screen and individual-device use in Years 1 to 3, and introduce age-appropriate limits for older primary students;
• Introduce a school start check at ECE before children move to primary school;
• Introduce clearer developmental milestones in ECE and report progress to parents;
• Identify areas where children may need additional support and address that through the Early Intervention Service;
• Require the writing component of twice-yearly primary school assessments to be completed on paper.

The school start check was not a “not a pass/fail test” and would not prevent a child starting school, Stanford said.

“Teachers are reporting an increasing number of new entrants are starting school lacking basic skills such as toilet training and eating and dressing independently.”

She said children were arriving at school having never held a pencil or scissors, without the oral skills they need, and many could not identify letters in their own name.

“To make a strong start at school, children need good foundations. The school start check will make those expectations clear and ECE centres will work with parents to assess how ready a child is to start school and where they may need extra support.”

Julia Gabel is a Wellington-based political reporter. She joined the Herald in 2020 and has most recently focused on data journalism.