Developing a Theoretical Model of Digital Content Creation to Enhance Toddlers’ Speech Formation Based on Children’s Folklore Tales

Abstract

The primary aim of this study is to develop a comprehensive theoretical model for creating digital content that enhances speech formation in toddlers aged 1–3, based on children’s folklore. This model seeks to integrate pedagogical, psychological, and cultural elements to offer a balanced and age-appropriate digital learning experience for young children. The study employed a systematic literature review using Creswell’s seven-step process, which involved identifying relevant research, reviewing and analyzing 22 peer-reviewed studies published between 2019 and 2023, and synthesizing their findings. VOSviewer version 1.6.18, a bibliometric visualization tool, was used to conduct a keyword co-occurrence analysis, identifying key concepts and trends in digital content creation for toddlers. The systematic review adhered to the PRISMA framework to ensure rigor in the selection and analysis of the included studies, which spanned fields such as education, psychology, and pediatric development. The study identified several key dimensions necessary for developing an effective theoretical model of digital content creation for toddlers: The content must be age-appropriate and consider the unique cognitive, linguistic, and developmental needs of toddlers. Children’s folklore plays a crucial role in language development, offering culturally rich and rhythmically engaging material for young learners. The model must address the balance between screen time and real-world interactions, ensuring that digital engagement does not replace essential real-life learning experiences. Ensuring the psychological and physiological safety of digital content is paramount, requiring the exclusion of inappropriate or harmful material and the inclusion of interactive, engaging content that supports speech development. The study concludes that a well-designed model for digital content creation, rooted in children’s folklore, can significantly enhance speech development in toddlers. Such a model must not only support language acquisition but also reflect cultural heritage, promote safe digital environments, and encourage a balance between digital and real-world interactions. By integrating the findings from various disciplines, this theoretical model provides a holistic framework that can guide the development of high-quality digital content aimed at supporting early childhood language development in the digital age.