Young Minds : Designing Engaging Child-Friendly Tech by Isra Chahrazed Goumiri

Discover effective strategies for creating child-friendly tech that boosts learning through gamification, hybrid approaches, and adaptive tools while prioritizing safety and engagement.

Key takeaways
  • Children’s attention span is typically 2-5 minutes per year of age (e.g., 12-13 minutes for a 6-year-old)

  • Using visual, auditory, and kinesthetic activities can improve learning retention by up to 75%

  • Gamification can boost cognitive performance in children by up to 25%

  • Scaffolding is crucial - start with what learners know and gradually build complexity while providing support

  • Hybrid learning approaches combining digital and unplugged activities help optimize screen time and increase accessibility

  • Safety and privacy considerations are essential when designing digital learning experiences for children

  • Interactive learning tools should collect behavioral data (clicks, typing speed, facial expressions) to adapt to individual learning needs

  • Child-computer interaction should focus on creating emotional bonds and safe spaces for learning

  • Use storytelling and real-world connections to explain complex concepts like binary systems or machine learning

  • IKEA effect - letting children build/create their own projects increases engagement and satisfaction

  • Monitor learners’ physical signs (fatigue, posture, blinking) to optimize learning sessions

  • Celebrate learners’ achievements and build confidence through structured projects and gradual independence