Digital Interactive Simulations in Preschool Education on the World Around Us Subject – Opportunities for the Development of Causal Thinking (Ages 6–7)

Authors:

Pages: 33-43
DOI: https://doi.org/10.54664/YTRK6248

Abstract:

The present study explores the possibilities for integrating digital interactive simulations into pedagogical interaction in the World Around preschool educational field with the aim of fostering causal thinking in children aged 6–7. The research focuses on the development of cause–effect reasoning through structured inquiry-based situations implemented in a digital learning environment. A quasi-experimental design with an experimental and a control group was employed. The study involved 55 children from the fourth preschool group (ages 6–7), divided into an experimental group (n = 27) and a control group (n = 28). The intervention lasted six weeks and included twelve pedagogical situations. In the experimental group, learning activities were supported by digital interactive simulations enabling manipulation of variables and real-time observation of outcomes, while the control group followed the same thematic content using traditional pedagogical tools. Causal thinking was operationalized through a structured observation tool classifying children’s explanations into three levels: descriptive, partially causal, and structured causal reasoning. The results demonstrate positive development in both groups; however, a more pronounced transition to structured causal reasoning was observed in the experimental group. By the end of the intervention, 22.2% of the children in the experimental group reached the highest level of causal thinking, compared to 7.1% in the control group. Although the chi-square test did not reach conventional statistical significance (χ²(1, N = 55) = 2.52, p = .11), the effect size (φ = .21) indicates a small-to-moderate practical effect. The findings support the pedagogically grounded integration of digital interactive simulations as a means of enhancing analytical and causal reasoning skills in preschool education when combined with guided verbal reflection and teacher mediation.

Keywords:

preschool education, digital educational technologies, interactive simulations, causal thinking, STEM approach.

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