인공지능 놀잇감을 활용한 유아 놀이 경험 탐색

Exploring play experiences with artificial intelligence toys in young children

This study aimed to provide foundational data for exploring effective ways to implement AI education in kindergarten classrooms by analyzing the play experiences of 23 children in a 5-year-old class during free playtime using artificial intelligence toys. Data were collected over approximately five months starting in May 2022 through participant observation, video recordings, and other methods, and were subsequently categorized. The findings were as follows. First, as children became more familiar with the functions of the artificial intelligence toys, they exhibited growing interest and comfort in using them. Peer relationships such as following rules and engaging in competition were also observed in the context of AI play. Second, children's use of the toys evolved in diverse ways, including exploring play spaces using the toys, using them freely as they would with other toys, and expanding play by utilizing the unique functions of the artificial intelligence toys. Based on these results, the study suggests the need to create play environments where children’s exploration and trial-and-error with artificial intelligence toys can naturally occur during daily routines. It also highlights the importance of teacher-led research to support play that leverages the unique characteristics of artificial intelligence toys.