Affiliation:
1. University of the Free State, South Africa
Abstract
The purpose of this chapter was to report on a literature review study pertaining to educating early childhood teachers and stakeholders on creating an immersive learning environment that exploits the benefits of mobile learning and game-based learning (GBL). Further, this chapter sought to increase the corpus of knowledge regarding game-based learning within the early childhood curriculum, an area of research that needs further exploration. Mobile learning and game-based learning (GBL) are practical and valuable educational tools for preschoolers because they promote social and cognitive engagement as an effective learning strategy. Previous research focused on GBL for children aged three to six, which addressed the unique learning needs of children by incorporating game elements to elicit immersive experiences. Hence, this reinforces the strategy of play-based learning and engagement as a cognitive and social development imperative. Importantly, this chapter's contributions will empower politicians, parents, and educators to make informed decisions on the benefits of integrating mobile learning and GBL with the early childhood curriculum to enhance learning outcomes.