The Heartbeat of Engagement: Exploring Young Children's Interactions with a Reading Pen, Robot, and Human through Physiological Signals

Abstract

This study examined how different reading modes-human reader, reading robot, and reading pen-impact young children's engagement and comprehension. By analyzing physiological measures such as Electrodermal Activity (EDA) and Heart Rate Variability (HRV) alongside comprehension performance, we aimed to assess the effectiveness of each mode and explore the potential of robots as educational tools. Positioned between the interactive human reader and the passive reading pen, the reading robot not only sustained engagement for the longest duration but also achieved the highest comprehension scores. The robot effectively balanced emotional arousal and stress levels, facilitating enhanced cognitive processing and information retention. Additionally, a positive correlation was found between family technology use and both engagement and comprehension with the robot. These findings suggest that interactive technology can enhance early childhood learning by bridging the gap between human interaction and traditional learning tools.