Abstract
This study describes the “MaruMaru Play Labo” Wood-Based Learning and Play Program, a project structured using Learning Experience Design (LXD). The intervention intentionally employed a co- creation framework, involving diverse partners, including university Design and Childcare departments, the kindergarten, and local environmental groups, to enhance productive learning design. The experimental program, centered on Japanese wood-based learning (Mokuiku), aimed to enhance working memory (WM) and non-cognitive skills in 11 kindergarten children, with parental participation required across all five lessons. Quantitative analysis of WM scores showed no significant difference between groups, suggesting a need to reassess the assessment tool and consider external factors. Crucially, the participant group demonstrated a significant improvement in concentration during complex tasks, and analysis revealed that art and craft activities significantly fostered conscientiousness, focus, and openness. The study provides a framework to help educators establish logical connections between tasks and outcomes, thereby strengthening the ECE program structure. Future recommendations include refining the assessment by focusing on a single primary outcome (WM) and updating supplementary tools, such as the playbook, with better designs and templates to facilitate home education.
Keywords
Collaborative design interventions; Wood-based Learning; Design for education; Learning
DOI
https://doi.org/10.21606/iasdr.2025.956
Citation
Sutas, B., Igaki, M., Inoue, N.,and Oshima, M.(2025) Collaborative Learning Experience Design for Kindergarten: The "MaruMaru Play Labo" Wood-Based Learning and Play Program, in Chang, C.-Y., and Hsu, Y. (eds.), IASDR 2025: Design Next, 02-05 December, Taiwan. https://doi.org/10.21606/iasdr.2025.956
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License
Conference Track
Track 6 - Co-creation
Collaborative Learning Experience Design for Kindergarten: The "MaruMaru Play Labo" Wood-Based Learning and Play Program
This study describes the “MaruMaru Play Labo” Wood-Based Learning and Play Program, a project structured using Learning Experience Design (LXD). The intervention intentionally employed a co- creation framework, involving diverse partners, including university Design and Childcare departments, the kindergarten, and local environmental groups, to enhance productive learning design. The experimental program, centered on Japanese wood-based learning (Mokuiku), aimed to enhance working memory (WM) and non-cognitive skills in 11 kindergarten children, with parental participation required across all five lessons. Quantitative analysis of WM scores showed no significant difference between groups, suggesting a need to reassess the assessment tool and consider external factors. Crucially, the participant group demonstrated a significant improvement in concentration during complex tasks, and analysis revealed that art and craft activities significantly fostered conscientiousness, focus, and openness. The study provides a framework to help educators establish logical connections between tasks and outcomes, thereby strengthening the ECE program structure. Future recommendations include refining the assessment by focusing on a single primary outcome (WM) and updating supplementary tools, such as the playbook, with better designs and templates to facilitate home education.