We record time in ages. We were once in the stone age, then the bronze age. We advanced to the renaissance, and eventually into our current digital age. But there is a new age emerging, sometimes referred to as the age of intelligence. It is dominated by AI, automations, convenience, and marketable efficiency. Yet, Heartstone Academy has committed to a classroom with hardly any technology at all. Although, it seems counterintuitive, we think the future of human value isn’t digital expertise, but the ability to operate independent of it.

‍While the world gets saturated with screens, we will be helping children unlock their built-in processing potential for cognition, social interaction, and emotional development. We understand the benefits of technology, as well as the application of it. However, by limiting exposure early on, we can help facilitate the organic development of the brain. The early years are critical for building foundational skills that are best honed through tangible, multi-sensory experiences, not passive screen time. Plus, while research on the topic is slow to emerge, we can appreciate the evidence before us that more screen time correlates to higher incidence of mental disorders, attention deficits, aggressive behaviors, poor memory, hyperactivity, and poor decision making. Though we are not anti-technology all together, we do strongly believe in pro-developmentally appropriate learning.

‍As a foundational value, we do not incorporate digital technology into our daily teaching methods or for student interaction during class time. The only exception where technology is purposefully integrated into our classrooms is for musical purposes, supporting auditory development and rhythm. This deliberate choice ensures that every learning moment is rooted in direct engagement and personal interaction, without over-stimulation.

Deeper Engagement and Sensory Exploration: In a low-tech setting, children are naturally drawn to physical objects. Instead of swiping on a screen, they are touching, building, manipulating, and exploring the textures, weights, and spatial relationships of real-world materials. This hands-on engagement stimulates all senses – touch, sight, hearing, and even smell – leading to richer neural connections and deeper learning pathways that screens simply cannot replicate.

‍Genuine Social Interaction and Empathy: Screens, by nature, are isolating. In our low-tech environment,     children are constantly interacting face-to-face. They learn to read subtle social cues, practice negotiation during shared play, develop patience in turn-taking, and collaborate with others for big projects. These natural interactions are the bedrock of empathy, communication, and strong social-emotional intelligence – skills that are profoundly difficult to master through digital interfaces.

‍Organic Curiosity and Imagination: When technology provides all the answers and endless stimulation,     it can inadvertently stifle a child's innate curiosity. Our low-tech setting encourages children to ask questions, experiment, and invent solutions using their own ingenuity. Simple materials become anything they imagine – a box can be a car, a fort, or a spaceship. By helping them develop a discovery mindset it also sets them up to use digital technology much more effectively later in life.

‍Improved Attention Spans and Focus: Most digital applications are designed to be captivating, especially when targeted toward children. The bright colors, rapidly changing scenes, stimulating sounds, and even accentuated character features can train young brains for constant novelty and impressions, potentially     hindering the development of sustained attention. In our classrooms, children learn to focus for longer periods on single tasks, engage in uninterrupted play, and delve deeply into subjects without overstimulation.      

‍Physical Health and Posture: No screen time in class also means not slouching over a screen, or anterior head carriage (also known as “text-neck”). In class, children are free to use the space during periods of the day, allowing them to get up and move around. This helps to release pent-up energy. The reduction of blue light in a day also helps to improve sleep patterns at night, to help with recovery.      

‍Healthy Brain Chemistry: Digital devices, particularly those with games and constant notifications, can trigger rapid bursts of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with reward. While this feels good in the short term, over-reliance can potentially impact the brain's natural reward system, making it harder to find satisfaction in slower, more nuanced activities like reading, building, or imaginative play. Our low-tech approach supports the balanced development of these critical brain chemicals, nurturing a child's intrinsic motivation and capacity for sustained contentment.

We’ve chosen to unplug our children, and yours, in order to improve their holistic development. We believe that by creating an environment rich in real-world experiences, hands-on learning, and social connection, we are not just preparing them for school; we are equipping them with the fundamental strengths, curiosity, and resilience needed to truly thrive in an increasingly complex world. We are helping to build brains that are functional without technology, in order to one day be able to handle the load of it.