KA Ingraham, HA Feldner, KM Steele (2024) “Forward first: Joystick interactions of toddlers during digital play”

Journal Article in PLoS ONE

Computers and technology are essential tools for supporting the development of toddlers with and without disabilities. Developmentally appropriate access to technology can support toddlers in learning and play. While touch screens are a popular interaction modality for children under the age of three, they may not be appropriate for all children or all tasks.

A child is pictured sitting in a Explorer Mini while using the joystick to play a directional cause-and-effect game on a computer screen, toddlers demonstrated a strong preference for initiating movement in the forward direction, irrespective of the target on the screen.Aim: We know comparatively little about how toddlers interact with joystick-based technology, and more fundamental research is required to understand joystick interactions at different ages and developmental stages.

Methods: We quantified how 36 nondisabled toddlers used a joystick to play a cause-and-effect game on a computer.

Results: Children demonstrated a strong preference for moving the joystick forward first, regardless of the target direction. On average, the oldest children navigated the joystick to the target 5 seconds faster than the youngest children, and were nearly twice as efficient in their joystick path.

Interpretation: These findings inform the design of assistive algorithms for joystick-enabled computer play and developmentally appropriate technologies for toddlers.

Can Technology Make a Difference in Pediatric Rehabilitation? – A NCMRR Webcast

Interested in how technology can be used to make a difference in pediatric rehabilitation? A video cast from the National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research (NCMRR) discusses the topic in Bethesda MD. The workshop is organized by the Motion Analysis Laboratory and supported by the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health.

The workshop on August 9th, 2016 brought together a group of experts in rehabilitation to discuss how technology can help us to address pressing needs in pediatric rehabilitation. To follow all of the talks this past week and listen to “Can Technology Make a Difference in Pediatric Rehabilitation?”, follow this link, CLICK HERE.