By Lucija Jančec, University of Rijeka
Children learn by doing, and most of their time, they play. In a spontaneous play, they use symbolism, imaginative rules they make just for playing, imitate adults, experiment, trying to do the same, similar or completely different from what they have seen or experienced. Therefore, robots are great for their simplicity, logic, and they are easy-to-manage. Besides being interactive and engaging, robots respond to touch, voice, and movement. They are „cool technology“; many robots light up, move, and make sounds, which spark new stories and missions, allowing children to create their own scenarios.
One of the most important things is learning through play. When children play with robots, they actually do coding: problem-solving, managing concepts in a relaxed setting. Some robots act as friendly companions, providing entertainment and emotional connection. Additionally, robots give children possibilities for control and experimentation. Children love pressing buttons, programming movements, and seeing immediate results. At the same time, it gives a „futuristic appeal “because robots feel like a glimpse into the future. Above all, there is also personalisation – many robots can be customised with names, voices, or even programmed behaviours; therefore, „good“ material for the individualisation of the learning process.
If you need some longer material:
Educational robots are especially appealing to kids because they blend fun and learning in exciting ways. Here’s why children love them:
1. Hands-On Learning
Kids can physically interact with robots, making abstract concepts like coding and engineering more tangible.
2. Playful Introduction to STEM
Robots make subjects like math, coding, and science feel like a game rather than a chore.
3. Instant Feedback
When kids program a robot, they see immediate results, reinforcing learning through trial and error.
4. Encourages Creativity
Many educational robots allow customization—kids can change movements, voices, and even create their own challenges.
5. Sense of Accomplishment
Successfully making a robot move, talk, or solve a problem gives kids confidence and motivation to keep learning.
6. Teamwork & Social Skills
Some robots encourage group activities, helping kids collaborate, communicate, and solve problems together.
7. Adaptive & Personalised Learning
Many educational robots adjust difficulty levels based on a child’s progress, making learning more effective.
8. Real-World Applications
They introduce kids to technology and skills they can use in the future, such as robotics, engineering, and programming.