When parents hand a tablet learning tool to their child, their primary concern is often whether the child will become too absorbed in the screen. However, after trying out Kyowon's AiCANDO NuriKids, the first thing that stood out was not its flashy features but rather how easily the child engaged with the learning interface.
AiCANDO NuriKids is a tablet-based learning program aimed at preschoolers and kindergarteners. Kyowon operates AiCANDO in two segments: NuriKids for younger children and a curriculum for elementary students. NuriKids is divided into three levels and a kids stage, offering Korean language, math, exploration, and integrated activities for children aged 3 to 7 based on the latest curriculum standards.
The dedicated AiCANDO tablet left a clear impression of being designed for young users. Its mint-colored protective case features rounded edges and a character-shaped protrusion at the top, with a slot for a stylus at the bottom. Upon seeing it, the child immediately asked, "Is this mine?"—a clear indication that it felt more like a toy than a learning device.
The home screen was also user-friendly. Within the "Learning Map at a Glance," subjects like Korean, math, exploration, and integrated activities were represented by star-shaped icons. Initially, I suggested, "Shall we try math?" but after a couple of touches, the child independently pressed the star-shaped button to enter. The interface felt more like choosing a location on a game map than navigating a complex menu, lowering the entry barrier.
In the math section, a small character presented problems. For example, when asked to choose the number that fills in the blank for '7+8=', options like 13, 14, 15, and 16 appeared in large circles. The child initially selected 14, but instead of immediately confirming the answer, the program prompted them to reconsider. After selecting 15, the screen responded brightly, making it easy for even a child still mastering finger coordination to tap the correct answer.
The most satisfying aspect was the Korean writing exercise. It did not merely require the child to trace letters; if the stroke order was incorrect, they could not proceed to the next step. Initially, the child attempted to write from bottom to top or started with the middle stroke, but each time they were prompted to follow the correct order from top to bottom and left to right before moving on. This approach effectively reinforced learning. In traditional paper worksheets, parents often need to remind children of the correct order, but AiCANDO's screen took on that role. The child, initially puzzled by the lack of progress, soon realized, "Oh, I need to do it this way," becoming more aware of the correct sequence. This distinction is significant for beginners learning Korean.
The video content was generally calm. Many preschool programs feature loud sound effects or rapid transitions, but AiCANDO maintained a relatively steady pace. The character voices were not overly animated, making it comfortable for parents watching alongside. The child would pause to watch when the character spoke and would reach for the screen when questions arose.
Engagement levels were notably high. In previous experiences with other tablet learning tools, the child would show interest for only a few minutes before losing focus or pressing random buttons. However, AiCANDO provided a more natural flow from solving problems to moving on to the next screen. The process of selecting an answer, observing the character's reaction, and transitioning to the next question was seamless, preventing the child from drifting away.
The user interface was another strong point. The buttons were large and brightly colored without being overwhelming. The rounded design of the entire screen reduced the pressure felt when a child made a mistake. When the child selected an incorrect answer in math, the feedback encouraged retrying rather than startling them with loud sound effects, which helped avoid frustration. This aspect is crucial in early childhood learning, as negative feelings about mistakes can lead to a rejection of the learning process altogether.
Exploration and integrated activities felt more like play than study. The child initially pressed the math icon but later explored the exploration and integrated buttons as well. The experience of choosing activities independently, without parental direction, was beneficial. While it may not be complete self-directed learning, it certainly reduced resistance to the idea of "let's study."
Of course, there are some drawbacks. As a tablet learning tool, if parents do not set time limits, children may want to continue using it indefinitely. Additionally, for younger children, it is often better for parents to guide them through the button locations and learning sequences during the first few uses rather than leaving them entirely on their own.
Nevertheless, the most significant impression left after using AiCANDO was that it is a learning tool that children want to revisit. I witnessed the child turning on the tablet, pressing the math star, and reaching for the screen to try writing Korean again. The greatest challenge in tablet learning is not the features but rather motivating children to engage. AiCANDO NuriKids effectively lowers that initial barrier.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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