Work

Cultivating Computational Thinking and Social Play among Neurodiverse Preschoolers in Inclusive Classrooms

Year: 2025

Type: conference-paper

Abstract: Computational thinking (CT) is regarded as a fundamental twenty-first century skill and has been implemented in many early childhood education curriculum. Yet, the needs of neurodivergent children have remained largely overlooked in the extensive research and technologies built to foster CT among children. To address this, we investigated how to support neurodiverse (i.e., groups involving neurodivergent and neurotypical) preschoolers aged 3-5 in learning CT concepts. Grounded in interviews with six teachers, we deployed an age-appropriate, programmable robot called KIBO in two preschool classrooms involving 12 neurodivergent and 17 neurotypical children for eight weeks. Using interaction analysis, we illustrate how neurodivergent children found enjoyment in assembling KIBO and learned to code with it while engaging in cooperative and competitive play with neurotypical peers and the adults. Through this, we discuss accessible adaptations needed to enhance CT among neurodivergent preschoolers and ways to reimagine technology-mediated social play for them.

Source: CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems

DOI: 10.1145/3706598.3713851

Authors: Maitraye Das, Megan Tran, Amanda Chih-han Ong, Julie A. Kientz, Heather Feldner

Institutions: Northeastern University, University of Washington

Language: English

Topic: Teaching and Learning Programming

Subfield: Computer Science Applications

Field: Computer Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Quality education

Open Access status: hybrid

Funders: University of Washington, Australian Government, Jacobs Foundation, National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research