Evergreen Early Years

Can technology support children’s communication and language?

Who we are

My name is Laura Davy, Quality Assurance Manager at Evergreen Early Years in Preston. I have worked in the early years sector since 1999, with a passion for supporting children’s communication, speech and language.

What we learned

• Mixed evidence: research shows both positives and negatives. Technology can widen vocabulary and spark imagination, but overuse reduces clarity, conversation skills and focus.
• Balance matters: the effect depends on what children access and how much time they spend using devices.
• Children’s responses: in small group interventions, children engaged enthusiastically with tablets, cameras and walkie talkies. They grew in confidence, used more vocabulary, and interacted more with peers.
• Professional vs. parent views: parents noticed positives such as curiosity and imagination, but educators reported concerns around speech clarity, social skills and reliance on screens.
• The practitioner’s role: success depended on adults guiding and modelling how technology was used, not on the devices alone.

Why it matters

We cannot ignore technology in children’s lives. Used well, it can enhance vocabulary, sentence building and confidence in communication. However, left unchecked, it risks overstimulation and reduced interaction. The key is thoughtful planning, selecting the right apps, and ensuring human interaction remains central. A key conclusion from this project is:

Technology can support communication if used carefully, intentionally, and always alongside rich human interaction.

What’s next?

• Continue interventions using WELLCOMM to measure impact over time
• Work with parents to help them choose age-appropriate, safe and beneficial technology
• Share findings with staff so technology is used purposefully alongside traditional communication strategies
• Await further insights from the national IKids study, which is investigating long-term effects of technology on children’s development

At Evergreen, we are committed to helping children thrive in a digital world while protecting the essential human connections that underpin communication and language.