국내외 인공지능 기반 유아 교육 애플리케이션 현황

초록

This study aims to examine the current status of domestic and international AI-based early childhood education applications and to analyze their educational characteristics and AI-related features, thereby providing criteria for young children, parents, and teachers to consider when selecting and using such applications. From April 1 to May 3, 2026, ten domestic and ten international applications were selected from the education and kids/early childhood categories of Google Play Store and Apple App Store. The selected applications targeted young children or early childhood learners and explicitly referred to AI, personalization, adaptive learning, voice recognition, or generative functions in their official materials. Content analysis was conducted based on app store descriptions, official websites, and policy documents, focusing on educational characteristics and AI technology features. The findings showed that domestic applications tended to focus on foundational learning areas such as Korean language, English, phonics, and cognitive development, often in connection with home or institutional learning. Their AI functions were commonly presented in limited or supportive forms, such as pronunciation assessment, learning pattern analysis, and personalized recommendations. In contrast, international applications covered a broader range of learning areas, including reading, mathematics, social-emotional learning, and creative activities, and employed more diverse AI functions such as conversational AI, generative content, voice recognition- based feedback, and personalized learning pathways. However, some applications did not sufficiently disclose how AI functions operate, how data are processed, whether user data are used for model training, how deletion rights are ensured, or how parental control is supported. The findings suggest that the educational value of AI-based early childhood education developmental appropriateness, clarity of learning goals, quality of feedback, privacy protection, and the possibility of adult involvement should be comprehensively considered.

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