A Socially Mediating Robot to Assist Non-Verbal Children in an Inclusive Daycare Context

Non-verbal children are often provided with non-verbal communication cards (NVCCs) to share their needs. However, in busy spaces that prioritize verbal communication, for example, a daycare, this may place them at a disadvantage in comparison with verbal peers. In this work, we introduce the concept of a Socially Mediating Robot (SMR), acting as a communicational intermediary that verbalizes NVCC input. Thereby, we want to explore whether non-verbal children can be empowered by giving them an additional way of expressing themselves in a dynamic, buzzing environment. In an exploratory interview study with six participants professionally working with children, we then provide first insights on the feasibility of our concept from the perspective of caregiving staff. Thereby, we lay the groundwork for evaluating the concept in an ongoing field study in an inclusive daycare context.