The Integration of Digital Play Tools in Project-Based Learning for Early Childhood Education: A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

This study aims to emphasize the significance of integrating digital plays in Project-Based Learning (PBL) in Early Childhood Education (ECE) for the overall development of children in modern classrooms. A research methodology of a systematic review was used, where ten high-impact research articles published in Scopus and Google Scholar databases from 2020 to 2025 were reviewed. These articles were related to early childhood settings and met certain predetermined selection criteria. The data was synthesized, and themes were identified to find patterns in the research. The study revealed that integrating digital plays in PBL is beneficial for motivating, developing, and enhancing cognitive skills, and for early literacy, while highlighting the role of teachers in integrating technology. A research gap was identified in relation to Indonesian society, and it was recommended that appropriate models of PBL be developed, teachers be trained, and more research be conducted in real-life settings in preschools.