Using a Gesture-based videogame to support eye-hand coordination and pre-literacy skills of children with down syndrome

Abstract

Children with Down syndrome (DS) have deficits in eye-hand coordination skills. Deficits in eye-hand coordination could negatively impact the acquisition of literacy skills. This paper presents the evaluation of BeeSmart, a gesture-based videogame for supporting eye-hand coordination and pre-literacy skills. The aim of this work is to investigate whether BeeSmart has the potential to support eye-hand coordination and pre-literacy skills of children with DS. A 10-week study with seven children with DS and two psychotherapists is presented. The results indicate that BeeSmart was perceived as a potential tool to support eye-hand coordination and pre-literacy skills. Three out of seven participants improved their eye-hand coordination and pre-literacy skills to some degree. The evaluation study also revealed some improvements that should be made to BeeSmart, such as a reward counter for children with DS with a higher cognitive level. More game sessions with BeeSmart is required to investigate at what degree of BeeSmart improves eye-hand coordination and pre-literacy skills of children with DS.