Northside Early Learning Centre is one of 42 in Australia to receive hardware designed to engage preschoolers, as part of the University of Wollongong’s Early Start research and teaching program.

Any pre-conceived notions of little ones hunched alone in a corner over a screen were instantly dispelled by Jack Vickers, 4.

With a friend, he used body and mind to solve a giant, colourful jigsaw.

Nearby, Ruby Mullins, Zara Hall and Lilka Brown danced and jumped up and down every time a music program at the smart table rewarded their correct answers.

With teacher Jo Grimmond, they played a digital version of 20 questions, honing in on the right answer (a peacock) by a process of elimination.

Ms Grimmond loves the new gear and the chance she has to interact with academics.

“I find boys, who don’t initiate a puzzle at a table, will initiate a puzzle on the board because it is exciting and fun,” she said.

“The collaborative skills that come from it, in a small group of children, where they are taking turns and problem solving are second to none.

“Jack just goes for it and his skills have increased dramatically.”

Associate Professor Pauline Lysaght, visiting yesterday from Wollongong, said technology was a resource, “just like books and toys”.

“It is appealing and allows children to think and do things they would not otherwise be able to.

“It is not really about the technology, it is about the skills you need to operate that technology.

“It is developing personal, social and emotional skills.”

She said the program was helping Moruya preschoolers “handle the technology that is already embedded in the school system”.

There was also a bigger picture.

“We want to bring about social change,” she said.

“Research from across the world shows that high-quality early childhood and care, children go on through primary school to perform better academically, to have well-developed social skills, to self regulate effectively. 

“Literacy and numeracy rates are wildly improved.”

Northside owner Jane Matthews was excited to be part of “something with such a passion for social change”.