BeeSmart: A gesture-based videogame to support literacy and eye-hand coordination of children with down syndrome

Abstract

Children with Down Syndrome (DS) have deficits in eye-hand coordination skills. These deficits impact activities of daily living (ADL) and children’s independence. In addition, there is a substantial relationship between eye-hand coordination and the acquisition of literacy skills. In this paper, we present the design process of a gesture-based videogame to support eye-hand coordination and literacy skills. First, we conducted a contextual study in an educational institute for children with DS. Next, using the contextual study results, several design solutions were generated and iterated using low-fidelity prototypes. Finally, we designed and developed BeeSmart, a videogame based on the Troncoso’s method for literacy, wherein children use their fingers to draw around pictograms and words on a screen. Finally, we present a usability evaluation of BeeSmart to show the potential for supporting children with DS.