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Background. As AI becomes embedded in children’s lives, from entertainment to learning, the role of content is transforming—from passive consumption to active, system-embedded dialogue.

Methods. This article draws from content development experience at Mako Kids and research-led design at KidsAI. It integrates global studies, co-design fieldwork, and expert interviews to analyze how children interpret AI tools and how design influences developmental outcomes.

Results. Findings show that children anthropomorphize AI agents and that system behavior often teaches unintended lessons. Core principles of quality content—including age-appropriateness, holistic thinking, inclusion, safety, play-based learning, and cultural relevance—remain essential in AI-driven environments. Structured prompts, ethical voice design, and scaffolded interactions are key design features in KidsAI’s work, including the development of Olly, KidsAI’s assistant for kids.

Conclusions. Content must now function as ethical infrastructure in sociotechnical systems. Designers must avoid emotional simulation and focus on supporting autonomy, reflection, and cognitive safety. AI should guide—not mimic—human relationships, with clarity and respect.

Relevance of the article. Preschoolers are active users of modern digital devices, and therefore their media activity is increasingly becoming the subject of close attention. Scientists disagree on whether gadgets positively or negatively effect on the development of a child’s psyche, and what types of media activity have a positive effect on the success of preschoolers.

The aim of the study: to identify differences in the level of development of mental abilities of senior preschoolers in two groups: those using digital devices mainly for watching cartoons and videos, and those using digital devices mainly for video games and applications.

Description of the research progress. The study involved 267 senior preschool children and their parents. Parents filled out a questionnaire (Bortsova, Nekrasov, 2020) aimed at studying the child’s predominant way of using digital devices and screen time indicators. Children aged 5–7 years were divided into two groups: those who predominantly watch videos and cartoons (passive screen time), and those who prefer video games and applications (active screen time). The level of development of children’s mental abilities was studied using a battery of techniques created under the guidance of L.A. Venger. According to the level of imagination development, the children were divided into three groups based on the results of the “Complete the Drawing” technique (Dyachenko, 2007). The results of the development of intellectual and creative abilities of two groups of children were compared using the Student’s t-test and one-factor analysis of variance.

Research results. Children using digital devices primarily for video games and applications had a higher level of mental development compared to the group of children using digital devices primarily for watching cartoons and videos. Children with low levels of nonverbal imagination spent more time in front of digital device screens than children with medium and high levels.

Conclusions. Modern computer games and applications have the potential to develop the intellectual abilities of older preschoolers. At the same time, interaction with digital devices negatively affects the development of imagination.

Relevance of the article. The development of emotional intelligence allows a person to successfully respond to the challenges facing him during his life. The need for the development of emotional intelligence is also confirmed by the documents regulating the sphere of preschool education. Developed emotional intelligence is also very important for the future of successful schooling, adaptation and building communication. The article presents the results of a theoretical study devoted to the problems of the formation of emotional intelligence in the field of language education of preschool children.

Research progress. Studies devoted to the problem of determining the essence and structure of emotional intelligence are analyzed. The analysis showed the importance of this type of work with preschoolers in teaching foreign languages, and also allowed to identify and describe the prerequisites for the development of emotional intelligence at an early stage of mastering a foreign language. The relevance of developing a problem in early foreign language teaching in accordance with the Federal State Educational Standard of Preschool Education, which sets tasks related to ensuring the social and communicative development of a preschool child, the formation of independence, purposefulness and self-regulation of their own actions; development of social and emotional intelligence, emotional responsiveness, empathy.

The results of the study. The development of emotional intelligence is one of the key components of the child’s psyche, which ensures the formation of his personality in ontogenesis and subsequent successful functioning in society. The priority of practical learning goals existing in the methodology of early foreign language teaching, suggesting a certain pragmatic orientation of the pedagogical process – the formation in a preschool child, first of all, of the ability to speak the language being studied and understand the speech of the interlocutor, does not allow to properly implement the requirement to ensure the development of emotional intelligence in preschool children.

Conclusions. The analysis of studies of the relationship between emotional intelligence and communicative properties, skills and abilities of the individual has shown that the development of emotional intelligence is especially organically integrated into the process of learning English. It is necessary for effective communication and develops in the best way within it, through the development of its speech competencies, through the improvement of the system of language means of the native and foreign languages assimilated by him, and along with the solution of educational and subject-related learning tasks, contributes to the implementation of one of the most effective approaches to teaching foreign languages – the communicative approach.

Background. The intellectual development of older preschool children is of significant importance at the stage of preparation for school. The formation of intellectual readiness is one of the indicators of the child’s adaptive inclusion in the educational process in primary education programs. The analysis of scientific research has revealed the content and structural components of the concepts of “intellectual development” and “intellectual readiness of an older preschooler”. This contributed to the definition of the main criteria for the study of intellectual readiness and the development of appropriate gaming diagnostic tasks for older preschoolers.

Objective. To study the dynamics of the formation of intellectual readiness of older preschoolers in the process of stage-by-stage implementation of the intellectual project “Ready for School!”

Methods. The study involved 30 children of the preparatory school group. At the first stage, the diagnosis of preschoolers was carried out at the beginning of the school year according to the developed set of game tasks. At the second stage, an action plan was implemented with exercises aimed at the intellectual development of older preschoolers. At the final stage, a final study and analysis of the results were carried out.

Results. The analysis of the research results showed an increase in the cognitive and communicative activity of children in solving logical memorization tasks, mathematical riddles, and problems. The effectiveness of the work carried out with children on the formation of constructive and algorithmic thinking and mastery of mathematical concepts was revealed. The highest results were obtained by diagnostic indicators based on criteria for evaluating the formation of a common outlook, ideas and ways of interacting with adults and peers in various types of activities.

Conclusions. To effectively implement the tasks of developing the intellectual readiness of older preschoolers at the stage of preparation for school, the teacher needs to use systematic work technologies that promote the activation of children’s creativity and cognition: problematic mathematical tasks, multi-level and group tasks, design, elementary programming, additional exercises for neurobiology, logical memorization , associative thinking, development of interhemispheric interaction, as well as visual-motor coordination.

Background. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) technologies are rapidly developing, having a significant impact on various spheres of society and opening up new opportunities for progress in healthcare, education, environmental protection and other areas.

Objective. Analysis of the potential of Artificial Intelligence for use in childhood education and media. The author seeks to identify the benefits and risks associated with the use of these technologies in working with children, as well as to develop recommendations for the effective use of Artificial Intelligence for educational purposes.

Results. The article uses an approach to the study of specific cases, analyzes the “Zoe and Olly” initiative, created by media company Kids AI, aimed at improving children’s literacy in the field of Artificial Intelligence. The program uses interactive storytelling and hands-on exercises to explain basic AI concepts such as machine learning, natural language processing, and computer vision. The characters Zoe and Olly make learning interesting and accessible for children, developing their curiosity and positive attitude towards technology. The project promotes the development of critical thinking in children, allowing them to evaluate information and results generated by AI systems. This is especially important as children grow up in an environment heavily influenced by Artificial Intelligence.

Conclusions. Advances in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning have significantly changed childhood education and media. Artificial Intelligence offers inclusive and personalized learning experiences, making education more accessible and interesting.

Background. The growing problems in the upbringing and education of children, which are a global trend, require a more careful look, on the one hand, at the 1960s-80s, when most of the current problems did not exist, and, on the other hand, at the XXI century, where development problems are increasing, both in their “assortment” and in quantitative coverage of the younger generation.

Objective. To analyze the conditions and characteristics of preschool childhood in the 1960–80s. and critically correlate them with the characteristics of a given age period in the XXI century.

Methods. To achieve this goal, the following research methods were used: phenomenological method, symptomological approach, analysis, generalization, comparison.

Results. The conducted research made it possible to identify eight key conditions / characteristics of full-fledged living by children of the first seven years in the 1960s-80s, as well as to identify the nature of changes in these conditions in the XXI century, which become the causes of increasing development problems in the modern younger generation.

Conclusions. A critical examination of the conditions and characteristics of preschool childhood in the 1960s–80s. indicates that for the first time children had the opportunity to fully live out their first seven years, which is the basis for subsequent human development. The absence of wars and mass repression, social stability, safe space, children’s play culture, minimal involvement in the technological environment, healthy physical maturation became the conditions that allowed children to successfully move to the apprenticeship stage and effectively advance in their education in the early school years. Since the late 1980s., the designated conditions for full-fledged living by children in the first seven years of life began to come under attack. This is due both to negative changes in the geopolitical and environmental situation, and to the initiatives of adults who, ignoring age patterns, are intensively introducing early development methods, immersing children in the virtual world.