Artificial Intelligence Methods in Early Childhood Education

Educational technology constitutes an important aspect in modern education providing unique learning experiences to students and improving their learning. Technological resources (especially computers) have been integrated in education for decades. However, integration of educational technology in early childhood education is a more recent trend compared to the other levels of education. This fact creates the need to develop, apply and study application of resources and methodologies specifically addressed to young children. Artificial Intelligence approaches have been incorporated to educational technology resources providing improved interaction to learners. In this paper, Artificial Intelligence methods exploited in the context of early childhood educational technology are surveyed. The discussion mainly concerns computer-based learning systems incorporating intelligent methods (e.g., Intelligent Tutoring and Adaptive Educational Hypermedia Systems) and educational robots addressed to early childhood. To the best of the author’s knowledge, such issues have not been thoroughly discussed till now in literature.