Young Children’s Mathematical Learning From Intelligent Characters

Abstract

Children’s math learning (N = 217; Mage = 4.87 years; 63% European American, 96% college‐educated families) from an intelligent character game was examined via social meaningfulness (parasocial relationships [PSRs]) and social contingency (parasocial interactions, e.g., math talk). In three studies (data collected in the DC area: 12/2015–10/2017), children’s parasocial relationships and math talk with the intelligent character predicted quicker, more accurate math responses during virtual game play. Children performed better on a math transfer task with physical objects when exposed to an embodied character (Study 2), and when the character used socially contingent replies, which was mediated by math talk (Study 3). Results suggest that children’s parasocial relationships and parasocial interactions with intelligent characters provide new frontiers for 21st century learning.

Children’s Parasocial Breakups With Media Characters From the Perspective of the Parent

“…Corriveau and Harris (2009) found that when faced with uncertainty, 3-year-old children selected a known teacher who had previously labeled objects inaccurately over an unknown teacher who had previously labeled objects accurately; if teachers were both familiar and accurate, 4-year-old children found them to be particularly trustworthy (Corriveau & Harris, 2009). Consistent with these findings, 4-year-old children learned educational content from animated media characters better when they trusted them (Schlesinger, Flynn, & Richert, 2016) or had stronger feelings of attachment and friendship, including trust, for the character (Calvert et al., 2018).…”

“…In our media-rich culture, many young children develop one-sided, emotionally tinged PSRs with media characters (Bond & Calvert, 2014a). Like children’s friendships with real peers, PSRs with media characters afford trust, emotional security, and enhanced learning opportunities from digital media (Bond & Calvert, 2014a; Calvert et al., 2018; Richards & Calvert, 2016, 2017; Rosaen et al., 2011). Close PSRs with media characters also influence gender socialization in early and middle childhood (Bond & Calvert, 2014b; Calvert, 2017).…”

“…In our view, these findings reflect important missed opportunities for children to continue learning beyond the classroom. Media characters have shown promise in promoting mastery of early science, technology, engineering, and mathematics concepts (Calvert et al., 2018; Schlesinger et al., 2016). Embedding popular media characters in educational content can capture U.S. children’s interest and create a window of opportunity to close gaps in STEM achievement between children from the United States and other developed nations (Calvert, 2017; U.S.…”

“…Although most friendship research has focused on relationships with real peers, there is growing evidence that children’s imaginary friendships should be included in the discussion of children’s social networks (Calvert, 2017; Giles, 2002; Gleason, 2013; Taylor, 1999). In particular, parasocial relationships (PSRs)—the one-sided, emotionally tinged friendships children develop with media characters—are often experienced in ways that parallel real friendships, affording opportunities for attachment, trust, and emotional security, as well as options for academic and social learning (Bond & Calvert, 2014a; Calvert et al., 2018; Coyne, Linder, Rasmussen, Nelson, & Birkbeck, 2016; Richards & Calvert, 2016, 2017; Richert, Robb, & Smith, 2011a; Rosaen, Sherry, & Smith, 2011).…”

Parents’ Perceptions of Their Children’s Parasocial Relationships: The Recontact Study

“…Consistent with these findings, the more preschool age children trusted a well-known television character, the more likely young children were to transfer knowledge learned from that character to tasks with real-world objects (Schlesinger et al., 2016). Preschool-aged children also learned more math concepts from an intelligent agent prototype of Dora the Explorer™, a popular media character, when their attachment and friendship PSR scores with her were stronger (Calvert et al., 2018).…”