Children’s Language Development Using Social Robots


children's language development

Children’s language development has reached new levels with the advent of the digital age. We now have a plethora of options for learning that don’t involve books, movies or museums. It’s all about being able to interact with others electronically. If you’re a parent with young children and you want to ensure that they’re not lagging behind in their own language development, you need to consider these new learning options.

The computer is an essential part of how young children learn language skills as well. Their visual images can stimulate their brains in ways that books and tapes cannot. You’ll find websites devoted to certain things – scrapbooking, for example, offers a visual way of storing and retrieving information. Websites such as YouTube and MySpace allow children to upload their own videos, allowing parents to watch their children’s development through the eyes of a parent. While many parents may view this as overkill, it allows you to be there as they are developing their language skills.

An Overview

A group of young men playing a game of football

Even in the non-stop world of television and video games, people have begun to rely on the power of language development through visual cues. Watching soap operas and paying attention to commercials can engage your child’s mind in ways that aren’t possible through other forms of media. In fact, the mass media itself is beginning to develop digital products to help you get in on the action. For example, many auto insurance companies are producing “trailer” movies that feature behind the scenes footage of a car accident. If you’re watching the movie at home, you’ll get the feeling that you know the outcome before the movie starts, which can help your children with their language skills as they watch.

The future research into language development is beginning to look more closely at how interaction is changing throughout our lives. People are spending more time interacting through social tools like blogs and chat rooms, and it seems that interaction is becoming less about talking and more about shared experiences and learning from others. Children aren’t shy about sharing their emotions or describing what they’re feeling, and using those experiences as a way to learn about the world around them. Even if you don’t feel your child is ready for a full-blown social life, exposing them to social tools will create a foundation for future learning.

Children’s literature has been greatly impacted by the new technologies of the digital age. Video games, movies, and television shows now have strong visual impact, especially for younger viewers. The interactive nature of these media has created a new environment for language learning. While it may not be the same for older children, the visual nature of modern technology is having a positive effect on young children’s language development. Watching a cartoon or playing video games is an easy way to get a child engaged in the world around them.

Children’s Language Development

A close up of a boy in a blue shirt

There is also a new digital effect emerging for language acquisition. This effect is not just the generation of computers and other technology in our lives; it goes beyond. New digital devices are being developed that are designed to facilitate language acquisition.

The introduction of social robots in education environments has created a positive influence on children’s language development. Social robots are computer-generated characters that are programmed to interact with their users and promote learning. In this way, a child is introduced to language acquisition at a young age and continues to develop over the long term. A social robot introduces children to language acquisition through the use of the character’s voice, encouraging imitation of the character and encouraging the child to interact with the bot in real-life situations.

These new technologies can offer a positive influence on your child-robot interaction. The more your child engages with and interacts with their computer-generated character, the greater the chances for language learning to take place. You want to make sure that the robot you choose to integrate into your home is entertaining and beneficial to your child’s education. With the right robot, you can create an educational adventure for your little one today!

Subscribe to our monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to our monthly Newsletter