ToyMobile: Image-based Telecommunication and Small Children

Small children are not able to use existing communication devices without errors because they are unable to read and because devices typically require faster input than children are able to provide. If an error-proof communication device is designed for small children, it must contain an extremely simple user interface with visual and auditory input and output. In this study, we identify the interaction capabilities that small children have, show everyday problems that 3 and 5 year old children may have with phone management through simple experiments, and, finally, present a simple prototype, ToyMobile, that is built through cooperative inquiry and design with children.