The impact of embodied learning activities on young children’s AI ethical decision-making: a study based on the stroop task

Vollständiger Abstract

Worum geht es in dieser Arbeit?

Abstract While early childhood artificial intelligence (AI) literacy is gaining prominence, empirical research specifically addressing young children’s AI ethical literacy remains scarce. Embodied learning is widely recognized as an effective pedagogical strategy for fostering children’s cognitive and moral development. However, its impact on young children’s AI ethical decision-making, particularly regarding the underlying role of inhibitory control, warrants further investigation. This study examined the effects of embodied learning activities on inhibitory control in senior kindergarten children in the context of AI ethical conflicts, and, based on this cognitive foundation, indirectly investigated young children's AI ethical decision‑making capability. A sample of 60 senior kindergarteners was recruited and randomly assigned to either an experimental group (mean age $$=$$ 5.70 $$\pm $$ 0.27 years, n $$=$$ 30) or a control group (mean age $$=$$ 5.66 $$\pm $$ 0.29 years, n $$=$$ 30). The experimental group received a two-week AI ethics embodied learning intervention, while the control group engaged in conventional storytelling. Pre-and post-intervention assessments using a modified Stroop task revealed the experimental group achieved significantly shorter reaction times and lower error rates under incongruent conditions, alongside higher AI ethical decision-making accuracy. These findings indicate that embodied learning enhances young children’s inhibitory control, thereby facilitating their AI ethical decision-making. This relationship suggests a potential mechanism where embodied learning reduces cognitive load and fosters moral internalization. Ultimately, this study contributes empirical evidence to the application of embodied cognition in early childhood AI literacy, offering valuable insights for designing kindergarten AI ethics curricula.