Does your nursery suggest 3 year olds to learn how to use mouse and keyboards?

[Lily7050]

My 3 ys DS cannot hold pencil properly or use scissors properly. Instead the children get to play with various electronic equipment (cameras, etc.) and the nursery suggests to teach children to use computer, mouse and keyboard.
The latest EYFS framework I found is of March 2021 but it does not say anything about use of computer, mouse and keyboard.
The prep school we like advises against computers till Y2.
I am trying to minimize screen time but if I show DS how to use mouse and keyboard he will be spending more time in front of the screen.
I am a bit puzzle why 3 yo needs to learn how to use computer, keyboard and screen before he learned read and write?

Ours were taught at nursery to use an iPad at two, but never a mouse and keyboard. The youngest was learning today how to navigate pictures and how to take photographs.

It's technology skills. They will be working on "proper" pencil grip and scissor control skills too, don't worry.

Do they really need to teach in nursery how to use an iPad if a school does not use iPads until children are 6 or 7?

Ours lets the children bash on an old keyboard (not attached to anything) but they are strictly old school when it comes to activities.

Yes…. These children are IT natives….they scroll up and own a screen before they can walk …..these are the skills they will need

It is outdated technology. For the past 10 years I have been using touchscreens and touchpads.
And no, I am not going to give my 3 yo a laptop. He got Amazon Fire Tablet in protective cover because from time to time he decides to through the tablet. There is no point in giving him a laptop if he destroys it on the first day.
At private preps 4+ assessments the children are tested on scissors and pencils skills which I will have to teach my DS myself. I taught him how to hold scissors correctly but he can cut straight lines only. Now I need to teach him quickly how to cut around pictures.
They have tricycles in the nursery but children are not taught how to pedal. I bought a bike with stabilizers and taught my DS how to pedal.

Ours is a Montessori with a very good reputation, that have no screens. They do have mice and keyboards and a desk phone, which the children can bring out for role play/imaginative play but they're not plugged into anything. DS doesn't have a tablet at home and I'd be very against him having one at nursery

Lots of office workers still use a mouse. If you're working with anything where click precision is required, a mouse is best.

My child used a computer with a mouse in nursery, he told me all about it.

We have a drawing table with pencils and scissors. It’s been amazing to see their skills improve.

We’re trying to get a more even balance of digital technology such as the smart board and we use the iPads to make movies or moving pictures of their art work. But the smart board has stopped calibrating, the laptops freeze. The only iPads we have are the staff ones so the children aren’t meant to use.

They really don't. Children can learn to use ipads and tablets incredibly quickly. I mean, we all learnt fine as adults didn't we? It's well known people working in Silicone Valley don't allow their kids screens. I wouldn't be happy with my child using one at nursery. (I'm a primary teacher and have never had issues with children learning how to use a Chromebook or whatever. I've had many issues with children trying to swipe things that don't swipe, like books or PCs, and having poor attention spans because real life isn't as exciting as a screen).

Nurserys aren't there to teach every skill and generally will work on children's current interests as stated in the EYFS. But if there is something you want them to work on you should mention it at parents meetings when they discuss next steps with you.

But another thing to remember before being able to hold a pen or use scissors a child needs to build up their hand muscles. So things like playdough, using tweezers, sensory play all help with this. And some children just aren't interested so it can be tricky to find the right way to get them to practise those skills.

What do you mean by “need” here? Why wouldn’t they let them try taking pictures with it if they enjoy it?

Ours have had an iPad each nearly from birth, for things like white noise and music at first but then not long after for other things.

Yes mine was taught this at nursery and there was a session for the parents to go in

I agree with you OP. There's plenty of research out there that shows screen time is linked to emotional and behavioral problems and impairs basic brain function. Such a shame they are pushing this from nursery age.

Do you want to challenge them on it?

I believe we'll look back in horror at how lax we have been (as a society) in allowing children access to screens. Already in China they have introduced a law limiting the amount of time children can spend on screens because they're realising the brain damage it does to them. I can't see that happening any time soon over here as it's easier to plonk them in front of a computer.