Design thinking is an innovative methodology for developing creative and efficient solutions to complex challenges. This study aims to apply the five-stage design thinking model—empathy, definition, ideation, prototyping, and testing to develop creative board game teaching aids suitable for young children and to explore the learning effectiveness of gameplay. The participants were twenty young children from a university-affiliated preschool. Semi-structured interviews, case studies, and action research was employed to examine both the design thinking process and the learning outcomes. The findings are as follows: 1. Design Thinking in Board Game Development: The designed teaching aid, “Healthy vs. Junk Food Adventure,” required continuous iteration through action research to ensure that the final product met the empathetic goal of “learning through play.” Notably, during the prototyping stage, considerations such as the young children’s hand strength, fine and gross motor skills, safe manipulation of materials, and appropriate color schemes were essential. These findings suggest that teaching aids designed through a design thinking framework can effectively promote young children’s sensory and motor development. 2. Learning Effectiveness of the Board Game Teaching Aid: The young children demonstrated high levels of engagement and feasibility because they could actively manipulate the game pieces and make independent judgments about healthy and junk foods. Peer interaction was also observed, as young children reminded each other to choose healthy foods and avoid “junk food traps.” This indicates that the board game teaching aid enhanced young children’s active learning, logical reasoning, problem-solving abilities and social interaction skills.

Authors:
Tsuilien Shen, Nanhua University, Taiwan
Hohuei Hsieh, National Kaohsiung University of Hospitality and Tourism, Taiwan
Hohsueh Hsieh, National Chung Hsing University, Taiwan

About the Presenter(s)
Dr. Tsuilien Shen is currently a professor in the Department of Early Childhood Education at Nanhua University, Taiwan.

See this presentation on the full schedule – Friday Schedule

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