From robot vacuum cleaners and drones to robotic kits and toys, robots are becoming increasingly mainstream. Children may have an interest in robots if they have one at home, but some childcare centres have them in classrooms too.
Robots relate to STEM education, technology and coding.
EYLF learning outcomes
The Early Years Learning Framework supports robot technologies (4.4) that facilitate curiosity, imagination, creativity (4.1), problem solving, inquiry, experimentation, hypothesising, researching and investigating (4.2).
Learning experiences
Play with household robots
Ask staff members and families if they have a robot in their home, like a vacuum cleaner, and invite them to demonstrate it for the children. This is an excellent opportunity for children to see a robot in action while understanding their practical functions in everyday life.
- Identify the different parts of the robot.
- Describe its actions and noises.
- Encourage children to ask questions.
- Ask each child if they would like the robot at their home. Why or why not?
- Encourage the children to imagine a new robot. What do you want a robot to do at your house? Can you draw or make a model of the robot?
Play with educational robots
Early childhood education equipment stores are now selling robots. There is a wide range of toys and robot kits available for Australian childcare services. Some early learning programs are even using their use of robots as a marketing tool!
Try these play-based ways to use robots:
- Create an obstacle course for a small robot to navigate through. Guide the robot around objects like pillows, boxes and chairs. Alternatively, draw a large maze on the ground using chalk or masking tape. If you have a car mat, take the robot on a tour of the streets.
- Hold a dance party. Program the robot to perform funky moves to music. The children can also dance along.
- Incorporate a robot into daily routines like morning group time. Use the robot to remind the children of important things, like kindness or handwashing.
- Attach a pen to a robot and program it to write a word or create an artwork.
- Set up a shadow theatre and use the robot as a puppet that casts shadows against a screen.
- Write and deliver messages within your classroom. Use the robot as a postman.
Play with drones
If your children are fortunate enough to have access to a drone, use it to explore your surrounding area. What can you see from above? Can you identify any landmarks?
Your children can learn about drones without actually using one. Watch a video of drones in action on YouTube and view aerial photographs of Australian landscapes.
Resources
Websites
Curious Kids: are robots smarter than humans?