NAO and emotional learning: A systematic review of applications in primary schools

Emotional competence is crucial for academic success and mental well-being, helping address challenges like anxiety, stress, bullying, and depression in school-aged children. Despite its importance, Social Emotional Learning (SEL) programs remain under integrated in primary education. Social robots, such as NAO, offer innovative opportunities to bridge this gap by fostering emotional competence through interactive and engaging approaches. This systematic review investigates NAO's potential in primary school contexts, emphasizing its dual role in promoting emotional skills and enhancing learning outcomes. Guided by PRISMA methodology, searches in Scopus, Web of Science, and EBSCO identified studies categorized into two groups: (a) those focusing on improving emotional skills, such as empathy and emotional regulation, and (b) those using NAO’s emotional feedback to enhance academic performance, particularly in vocabulary and reading. The findings demonstrate NAO's effectiveness in creating interactive environments that advance cognitive and emotional development, underscoring its value in primary education.