The Effect of Smart Constructive Games on Visual-Spatial Development in Preschool Children
Keywords:
Smart toys, Game-Based Learning, visual-spatial development, early childhood education, cognitive development, preschool childrenAbstract
Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effect of smart game-based interventions on visual-spatial development in preschool children. Methods and Materials: A quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design with a control group was employed. The sample consisted of 30 preschool children selected through cluster random sampling from two preschools in Tehran, with 15 participants assigned to the experimental group and 15 to the control group. The experimental group participated in eight structured smart game sessions, while the control group received no intervention. Visual-spatial development was assessed using the 51-item Visual-Spatial Development Questionnaire (Wachs, 2014), which includes subscales for sensory and bodily awareness, spatial localization, body-environment interaction, spatial maintenance, logical visual reasoning, and representational thinking. Data analysis was conducted using multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) to examine the differences between groups while controlling for pretest scores. Findings: The results indicated significant improvements in all visual-spatial subscales among children in the experimental group compared to the control group. Sensory and bodily awareness (F = 49.81, p < 0.01), spatial localization (F = 32.58, p < 0.01), body-environment interaction (F = 269.3, p < 0.01), spatial maintenance (F = 71.72, p < 0.01), logical visual reasoning (F = 173.4, p < 0.01), and representational thinking (F = 184.9, p < 0.01) all showed significant increases. The total visual-spatial development score also significantly improved (F = 839.01, p < 0.01), confirming the effectiveness of smart games in enhancing spatial cognitive abilities. Conclusion: The findings suggest that smart game-based interventions are highly effective in fostering visual-spatial development in preschool children. The integration of interactive, structured smart play in early childhood education can significantly enhance children's cognitive abilities, particularly in spatial reasoning and problem-solving skills.
Downloads
References
Abdelwahed, E. (2020). Game-based learning and Gamification to improve skills in early years education. Computer and science information system. https://doi.org/10.2298/CSIS190511043L Akdeniz, M., & Özdinç, F. (2021). Maya: An artificial intelligence based smart toy for pre-school children. International Journal of Child-Computer Interaction, 39. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcci.2021.100347 Asgari, F. (2023). The Effectiveness of Puzzle Games (Manual and Electronic) on Visual Working Memory, Spatial Visualization, and Mental Rotation in Elementary School Students. Quarterly Journal of Educational and School Studies, 87-106. https://civilica.com/doc/1755397/ Ayob, A. (2012). Creativity Enhancement Through Experiential Learning. Advances in Natural and Applied Sciences, 6(2), 94- 99. http://www.aensiweb.com/old/anas/2012/94-99.pdf Bansod, S. (2024). AI-Integrated Smart Toy for Enhancing Cognitive, Emotional, and Motor Skills in Toddlers. Beaty, R., & Kenett, Y. (2023). Associative thinking at the core of creativity. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 27(7), 671-683. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tics.2023.04.004 Bergen, D. (2023). The Handbook of Developmentally Appropriate ToysED - ProQuest LLC (Vol. 15). American Journal of Play. https://www.amazon.com/Handbook-DevelopmentallyAppropriate-Toys/dp/1475849192 Carlos, M.-F., & Losada-Puente, L. (2024). Developmental playbased assessment in early childhood education: a systematic review. European Early Childhood Education Research Journal, 7(2). https://doi.org/10.1080/1350293X.2024.2311100 Dorafshan, S. (2021). Children Surrounded by Smart Toys: Supporting Children's Privacy on the Internet of Toys. Quarterly Journal of Comparative Law Research, 27. https://clr.modares.ac.ir/article-20-45299-fa.html Estefanidi, E., & Dominiak, J. (2023). MagiBricks: Fostering Intergenerational Connectedness in Distributed Play with Smart Toy Bricks. ACM Interaction Design and Children, 239-252. https://doi.org/10.1145/3585088.3589390 Fizi, R. (2023). A game model in physical education to improve motor skills, cooperation, and discipline of primary school learners. Pedagology and Physical culture, 27(6). https://doi.org/10.15561/26649837.2023.0602 Han, D., Wang, Y., & Bian, X. (2022). Designed Interactive Toys for Children with Cerebral Palsy. ACM Journals, 26, 473-478. https://doi.org/10.1007 Komis, V., & Karachristos, C. (2022). Smart Toys in Early Childhood and Primary Education: A Systematic Review of Technological and Educational Affordances. International Journal of Child-Computer Interaction, 22. https://doi.org/10.3390/app11188653 Lin, S. Y., Chien, S. Y., & Hsiao, C. L. (2020). Enhancing Computational Thinking Capability of Preschool Children by Game-based Smart Toys. Electronic Commerce Research and Applications, 44. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.elerap.2020.101011 Mecan, Z., & Gozum, A. (2023). INNOVATION POTENTIAL OF TOYS MADE IN STEAM MAKERSPACES: REFLECTIONS FROM TEACHERS. International Journal of Education, Technology and Science. https://ijets.org/index.php/IJETS/article/view/162 Mirarab Razi, H., & Fakouri Haji Yar, M. (2022). Designing a Problem-Based Curriculum Model in Preschool. Quarterly Journal of Educational Psychology, 17(62), 7-30. https://doi.org/10.22054/jep.2022.64275.3506 Nuri, K., & Calgiltay, K. (2020). Smart toys for preschool children: A design and development research. Electronic Commerce Research and Applications, 39. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.elerap.2019.100909 Oliveira, G., & Dias, R. (2018). Young children, digital media and smart toys: How perceptions shape adoption and domestication. British Educational Research. https://berajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/bjet.12655 Pourfarahmand, M., & Taher, M. (2020). The Effectiveness of Computer Games Based on Visual Skills on Visual-AuditorySpatial Perception and Reading Tracking Speed of Students with Specific Learning Disabilities. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 7-24. https://civilica.com/doc/1412689/ Sadat Ammareti, F. (2011). The Effect of Selected Elementary School Games on Perceptual-Motor and Social Development of 8-9 Year Old Girls. Journal of Research in Rehabilitation Sciences, 7(5), 13. https://www.sid.ir/paper/143949/ Sylla, C. (2022). Smart Toys, Smart Tangibles, Robots and other Smart Things for Children. International Journal of ChildComputer Interaction, 33, 18. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcci.2022.100489 Zhang, Sung, & Liu. (2020). Consumer innovativeness, product innovation and smart toys. Electronic Commerce Research and Applications. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.elerap.2020.100974 Zhang, Z., Wang, X., & Yin, N. (2020). Smart design of intelligent companion toys for preschool children. Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0890060420000499
Downloads
Published
Submitted
Revised
Accepted
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Rasool Abul Hasani, Shabnam Niknejad (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
