A Play-Based Interactive Learning Approach for Fostering Counting and Numbers Learning Skills for Early Childhood Education Using QR Codes Mobile Technologies

Abstract

Preschool education is vital to children’s social, physical, intellectual, cognitive, and motor skills. In this paper, we propose an interactive learning approach that allows preschool children to learn while they play based on a pedagogical concept for basic skills related to numbers and counting. To assess our proposed learning approach for basic skills related to the number core, we have developed a Quick Response (QR) code mobile application using the Android SDK that allows for children to navigate and count a set of QR tagged learning objects using a 1-to-1 counting correspondence and the cardinal counting principles. We evaluate the application with preschool children ages 3–5. Evaluation results indicate the viability of an interactive and entertaining learning experience that allows children to learn while they play. The results show that such a learning environment can have an influence on preschool children’s perception and learning related to numbers and counting.