A systematic review of physical–digital play technology and developmentally relevant child behaviour

Torres, Pablo E., Ulrich, Philip I.N., Cucuiat, Veronica, Cukurova, Mutlu, Fercovic De la Presa, María Clara, Luckin, Rose, Carr, Amanda, Dylan, Thomas, Durrant, Abigail, Vines, John and Lawson, Shaun (2021) A systematic review of physical–digital play technology and developmentally relevant child behaviour. International Journal of Child-Computer Interaction, 30. p. 100323. ISSN 2212-8689

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Torres et al. 2021. Phygital Play Child Dev Syst_Lit_Rev (Accepted Version - final).pdf - Accepted Version
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Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcci.2021.100323

Abstract

New interactive physical–digital play technologies are shaping the way children play. These technologies refer to digital play technologies that engage children in analogue (non-digital) forms of behaviour, either alone or with others. Current interactive physical–digital play technologies include robots, digital agents, mixed or augmented reality devices, and smart-eye based gaming. Little is known, however, about the ways in which these technologies could promote or damage child development. This systematic review was aimed at understanding if and how these physical–digital play technologies promoted developmentally relevant behaviour (related to transferable skills and physical activity) in typically developing 0 to 12 year-olds. Psychology, Education, and Computer Science databases were searched producing 635 papers. A total of 31 papers met the inclusion criteria, of which 17 were of high enough quality to be included for synthesis. A theoretical framework was developed to guide our review and a thematic analysis was applied to find patterns across empirical studies. Results indicate that these new interactive play technologies could have a positive effect on children's developmentally relevant behaviour. The review identified specific ways in which different behaviours were promoted by the play interactivity. Providing information about own performance promoted self-monitoring. Slowing interactivity, play interdependency, and joint object accessibility promoted collaboration. Offering delimited choices promoted decision making. Problem solving and physical activity were promoted by requiring children to engage in them to keep playing. Four overarching principles underpinned the ways in which phygital play technologies afforded child behaviour. These included social expectations framing play situations, the directiveness of action regulations (i.e., inviting, guiding or forcing behaviours), the technical features of play technologies (digital play mechanics and physical characteristics), and the alignment between play goals, play technology and the play behaviours promoted.

Item Type: Article
Additional Information: Funding information: This study was funded by EPSRC, UK (EP/P025544/2). The lead author’s time was partially covered through ESRC Postdoctoral Fellowship (ES/T007435/1). In memory of David Whitebread (founder of PEDAL Centre, University of Cambridge) for all his contributions to research on play and child development, an inspirational academic guide and friend of the lead author.
Subjects: C800 Psychology
J900 Others in Technology
W200 Design studies
Department: Faculties > Arts, Design and Social Sciences > Design
Faculties > Engineering and Environment > Computer and Information Sciences
Depositing User: John Coen
Date Deposited: 15 Nov 2021 10:44
Last Modified: 12 May 2022 03:31
URI: http://nrl.northumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/47722

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