Designing learning experiences that support behavior, transitions, and engagement
Instructional design for early childhood education
Purpose
The Split-Screen Prototype Development phase focused on transforming the instructional design framework into an interactive learning experience.
The primary goal was to create a learning environment where preschool children can actively engage with lesson content while simultaneously participating in hands-on digital activities.
This phase represents the first working prototype of the Milo Calm Lesson.
Development Challenge
Traditional digital lessons often place children in a passive role where they simply watch content.
The challenge was to create a learning experience that encourages participation, interaction, and exploration while supporting emotional learning and self-regulation.
Design Solution
A split-screen learning environment was selected to encourage active engagement.
Instructional Panel
The left side of the screen provides guided instruction.
Features include:
- Milo character interactions
- Storytelling
- Breathing demonstrations
- Emotional learning prompts
- Teacher guidance
Interactive Panel
The right side provides opportunities for participation.
Features include:
- Digital coloring
- Touch interactions
- Reflection activities
- Interactive game elements
- Reward experiences
This structure allows children to learn and interact at the same time.
Prototype Goals
The prototype was designed to test:
- Engagement levels
- Ease of navigation
- Touchscreen functionality
- Visual layout effectiveness
- Child participation
- Accessibility considerations
User Experience Considerations
Several design principles guided development:
Simplicity
Children should immediately understand what to do.
Consistency
Interactive elements should behave predictably.
Accessibility
Activities should support multiple learning styles and abilities.
Engagement
Children should remain active participants throughout the lesson.
Planned Lesson Flow
Step 1
Welcome from Milo
Step 2
Discussion about calm feelings
Step 3
Guided breathing activity
Step 4
Interactive coloring experience
Step 5
Reflection activity
Step 6
Positive reward and celebration
Technical Exploration
Several solutions were explored during development:
WordPress Page Builder Options
- Responsive layouts
- Split-screen sections
- Mobile compatibility
Interactive Tools
- H5P
- Embedded activities
- Interactive media
Coloring Solutions
- Digital coloring concepts
- Touch-friendly interactions
- Downloadable alternatives
Prototype Features Under Development
Interactive Video Area
A space where children watch and interact with Milo’s lesson.
Coloring Activity Panel
A dedicated area where children can color while listening to the lesson.
Interactive Activity Area
Future support for:
- Drag-and-drop activities
- Emotion matching
- Decision-making scenarios
- Reward interactions
Challenges Identified
During development several challenges emerged:
- Mobile responsiveness
- Touchscreen compatibility
- Balancing engagement with simplicity
- Integrating multiple activity types on one screen
- Maintaining accessibility standards
These findings informed future revisions.
Success Indicators
The prototype will be considered successful if:
- Children remain engaged
- Activities function on multiple devices
- Navigation is intuitive
- The lesson supports emotional learning goals
- Educators can easily facilitate participation
Current Status
Development is ongoing.
Current focus areas include:
- Layout testing
- Interactive activity planning
- Coloring panel implementation
- WordPress integration
- User experience refinement
Outcome
The Split-Screen Prototype Development phase established the first functional version of the Milo Calm Lesson and created a foundation for future interactive learning experiences.
The prototype will continue to evolve through testing, educator feedback, and accessibility reviews.
Next Phase
Following Split-Screen Prototype Development, the project will move into Interactive Game System Development, where digital learning activities and game-based interactions will be designed and implemented.